The Record Shop with Its Own Brewery
Graham Jones interviews Malcolm Herbert, owner of Core of the Poodle – a record shop with its own brewery, surely an unbeatable combination for music lovers who also appreciate a good beer.
How did you end up opening such a unique shop?
“After trading online from around 2014, I bought the shop in December 2020. We opened for just one day before COVID restrictions forced us to close again for four months.
The premises had previously been home to a jazz CD specialist called AW Jazz, run by Andrew Fuller. I bought the remaining stock – around 3,000 CDs – which gave us a very strong jazz foundation from day one. Since then, we’ve worked hard to build a collection that covers all genres.
Between 2021 and 2023 we completely refitted the shop, installing custom shelving and redecorating throughout. We also launched our popular Jazz Nights and, in 2022, opened a bar within the shop, serving beer brewed in a derelict building at the rear of the premises.
Since then, we’ve expanded further, opening The Market Tavern, which is now run by my wife Cheryl, while the brewery itself has moved to a nearby industrial estate.
Haverfordwest had two record shops until October 2025, when Martin at Terminal Records retired after 45 years in the business. Together, the two shops helped make the town a destination for record collectors, and we’re determined to continue that tradition.”
Where did the unusual name come from?
“The name Core of thePoodle comes from a phrase used in Goethe’s Faust, where the titular hero is tricked by the devil, who is disguised as a poodle. It’s the moment of dread when you suddenly understand what is really happening. I’d used the name for a blog, websites and a number of other projects since around 2014.”
What are your memories of that first day, knowing you were about to close again for four months?
“I had around 15 boxes of records and two people were waiting outside when I opened at 10 am on that Saturday morning.
One of the first customers was Ian, who bought a copy of Miles Davis’s On the Corner. A couple of years later he joined us as a member of staff.
It was a cold December day and the shop, which was painted almost entirely blue at the time, felt rather daunting. After taking only about £100, I remember thinking I must be completely mad. Thankfully, it’s turned into a fantastic journey.”
Any funny or unusual stories from behind the counter?
“One local character came in looking for a very specific Pinky & Perky EP. We managed to track down a copy online and ordered it into the shop.
The problem was that we then lost it.
Four years later it still hasn’t reappeared, despite him calling in every week to see whether we’ve found it. Remarkably, he’s never bought another record from us.
So, if anyone reading this happens to own a Pinky & Perky EP, please get in touch. You could make one of my customers a very happy man.”
Do you get many holidaymakers visiting?
“Being in Pembrokeshire, we attract plenty of visiting record collectors who’ve persuaded their partners – and sometimes their children – that a rainy Saturday afternoon is best spent browsing records.
To help maximise the time they spend in the shop, we welcome dogs, tolerate unruly children, make good coffee and, of course, have a bar.
One of our most memorable sales involved an unplayed copy of Nick Drake’s’ Five Leaves Left’. The buyer drove overnight from London, making a 480-mile round trip. I met him outside the shop at 8am before we even opened.
He already owned several copies but was constantly searching for an upgrade. That’s the level of dedication record collectors can reach.”
What is the story behind the brewery?
“The brewery developed alongside the record shop and has, to some extent, helped fund its growth. We mainly supply beer to The Market Tavern, the bar at the rear of the shop, but we also supply a number of local pubs and venues.
Earlier this year we won a national award at the BeerX event organised by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) for Crypt, our 7.5% Belgian Tripel.”
What Proper Music releases are you currently enjoying or looking forward to?
“One of our strongest recent sellers has been Whomp Whack Thunder by Whiskey Myers. The band has built up a loyal following among our customers and we’re definitely seeing renewed interest in country rock generally.
We’re also looking forward to the new album Morketid by Mortem. It’s black metal of the highest order and is being released by Peaceville Records on 3 July.”
Core of the Poodle
Core of the Poodle
26 Market Street,
Haverford West
SA61 1NH
The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made It Happen
Graham Jones is the author of ‘The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made It Happen’ which has features on over 200 independent record shops that he has visited. The book was made in to a film titled ‘The Vinyl Revival’ available on DVD. Both can be ordered from Proper, independent record shops, Amazon and other online retailers.
Read about the book, film and vinyl soundtrack here