The Financial Times has curated a list of 38 record stores worldwide crowned as the "greatest in the world", 18 of which are in the UK.

Among the 18 in the FT's list is our very own Banquet Records.

But why did Banquet Records make the list?

The FT says: "Come for the comprehensive edit of contemporary indie, rock and dance records – stay for the 200 gigs a year the shop puts on, whether in its intimate onsite space, the Pryzm nightclub around the corner or St John's Church on the outskirts of town. Tickets are not expensive and sometimes free when you buy an album.

"While many record stores rightly cherish the past, Banquet feels like it's got its eye on the future."

Banquet Records hosts gigs at Kingston's Pryzm nightclub (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

Speaking about the store's recognition in the Financial Times, Banquet Records' Jon Tolley told KIngston Nub: "It's great to get such recognition.

We're used to getting recognised in the music press, but it's increasingly the case we're receiving acclaim from more highbrow publications – our accountant was especially happy about The Financial Times.

"What's good here is how people recognise the importance of the business as well as the music scene it helps support. All of this great stuff can be done, and is done, without money from the council or from local charities. It doesn't need handouts to be successful. In fact Banquet's probably more successful because it does its own thing without having to justify why and what we do via PDFs to committees. We just crack on and provide music fans with the service they want

"And we love doing it."

Also among the 18 UK stores is:

• Cob Records, Porthmadog
• Sounds of the Universe, London
• Carnival Records, Malvern
• Third Man Records, London
• Truck Store, Oxford
• Banquet Records, Kingston upon Thames
• Tribe Records, Leeds
• Honest Jon's, London
• Hawkeye Enterprises and Starlight Records, London
• Klang Tone Records, Stroud
• Vinyl Whistle, Leeds
• Jumbo, Leeds
• Thorne Records, Edinburgh
• Assai Records, Dundee
• Rough Trade, Denmark Street, London
• Uptown Vinyl, Weston
• Soul Brother Records, London