Bath Compact Discs was founded in 1982 when John Cervenka moved to Bath having previously run a successful record shop in Southsea for many years.

John heartily embraced the then new format of compact discs to the extent that we were the first shop in the UK to deal in them exclusively.

We now have one of the most comprehensive stocks of classical music on CD in the country and also stock a wide range of classical music on video and DVD, with many opera and ballet titles and an extensive second-hand stock.

Over the years we have added to our friendly and knowledgeable in-store service, a fast and efficient worldwide mail order service.

In addition, we are always willing to help with your enquiries, give recommendations or help find the disc you are looking for.

JOHN CERVENKA
John is of course the founding father of Bath Compact Discs, and indeed to many, many customers he has become the "face" of the shop. Originally from Chicago, John has for many years been a British citizen (although on occasion he has had to threaten unruly customers with concrete socks, Al Capone style). As well as being incredibly knowledgeable about recordings, old and new, John is also a terrific cook, can sing you any Broadway show tune on request and tells the worst jokes known to man.

SARAH HOWELLS
When not tending to her geraniums (or whatever) Sarah can be found playing in local orchestras such as the Bath Philharmonia and Bath Baroque, having studied double-bass and flute at the Royal College of Music. Impressive musical credentials then, although you'd never know it talking to her. As far as the shop is concerned, Sarah is in charge of our mail-order department, hence the speed and efficiency with which your orders are dealt - most of the time (OUCH ! Okay, all of the time).

STEVE MACALLISTER
Steve also plays in the aforementioned orchestras as well as the Premiere Brass Quintet. Having studied French Horn at City University, London. Steve is a human compendium of information concerning the French Horn and recordings thereof. But, honestly, he's a really nice guy too. Steve is also a keen cricketer, being a stylish opening batsman for our shop team. Indeed, I can honestly say I have never seen anyone's stumps so impressively flattened in all my cricketing days. Steve also likes curry and beer, but then he is a brass player.

KAREN MACALLISTER
Karen is married to Steve. She also plays the French Horn and like Steve hates tea and coffee. Now, what are the chances of that happening, eh? But Karen is definitely her own woman, being a lover and sometime maker of teddy bears. This versatility has proven more than useful in the shop where she is able to switch with ease from front of house duties to handling mail order when Sarah is off.

JON TURNER
The writer of these lines is a jazz drummer by trade and definitely doesn't play the French Horn. But don't let that put you off, because Jon has a deep and abiding love of classical music. His speciality is piano music, but more importantly, Jon is also captain of the shop cricket team-record so far: 1 win, approximately, 8 defeats and counting.

JONATHAN SANDERS
Jonathan is our latest recruit and works at the shop on a part time basis. Jonathan is the author of a book on Laurel and Hardy (is there no end to the talent on display at Bath CDs !) and is possessed of a particularly droll sense of humour, a leftover, no doubt, from his days trading in 78's and LP's.