SURROUNDED by vinyl, we walk into a small backroom and Paul Everett, owner of Area 51 records, invites me to sit down.

Area 51 is a small shop on South Street near Braintree Town Station, and an album from the Jam is playing quietly in the background.

Famous album covers decorate the walls of the shop, and I recognise a few of them from my dad’s generation.

Pink Floyd, the Human League, and David Bowie are on display but the most popular, he tells me, are the alternative genres at the back of the shop, with all types of house, garage and drum and bass.

His business has been in the town for 14 years and moved into South Street, next to the car wash, a decade ago.

He is welcoming and makes sure he greets every customer who walks in.

A customer is being served and says what a fantastic place this is.

He buys three 32” house albums and walks out, smiling and satisfied.

For Paul, opening this business in Braintree has been a lifelong dream.

He first opened Area 51 in the early Noughties and got a grant from the Prince’s Trust.

He said: “Music has always been my passion.

“I started DJ-ing at friends’ house parties at 16, and my love of music just took off really.

“And that’s why I opened the shop. I want to sell people music that they love.

“What makes a good record is the quality and condition.

“When buying records from auctions, the first thing I look for is quality and condition, as well as what customers will love.”

I ask him where the shop name ‘Area 51’ came from.

Paul said he just wanted a name to stand out and be original.

Area 51 came from a poster up in his old bedroom as a child, and it inspired him to open a shop of the same name.

He said: “Area 51: it has mystery, people are intrigued, and most importantly it’s the customers who remember us, it’s one of those names our customers are not going to forget.

“What appeals to younger people about a record shop instead of downloading is that it is a physical thing, you’ve got something that’s yours and something that you will enjoy. A record is different from a CD, it is special as it stems from a golden age of music but is modern as well, you’ve got all types of up-and-coming hits on records and I think that’s a great thing.”

Area 51 is a secret ready to be discovered.

We want to feature Hidden Gems - the best independent shops in our towns and villages.

To nominate a shop e-mail joseph.laws@newsquest.co.uk