THE brand-new TnT Records store is set to throw open its doors to the Barrow-in-Furness public this weekend.
Well-regarded local drummer Dave Turner, alongside three generations of his family, have taken over the three-storey shop in Duke Street, and will be joined by friends and fellow musicians for a private launch on Friday (21) night – ahead of its official opening on Saturday morning.
Bucking the national trend of record shop closures in recent years, TnT Records is set to become one of only a handful of independently-run stores in the whole of Cumbria.
Mr Turner, who will run the store with his dad Terry, brother Dan, and son Josh, said: “Vinyl is back in a big way, and I wanted to be the one to bring a proper record shop to Barrow.
“It’s long been a dream of mine to do this, and this has been in the pipeline since the start of the year. As soon as we found the premises, and literally the second we were handed the keys, we got to work on getting it ready to open this weekend.”
TnT Records will stock brand-new releases on vinyl, alongside classic and second-hand records, CDs, and various other formats, spanning every genre imaginable, as well as merchandise and collectible items. For any records not in stock, TnT will be able to order them in for the customer with fast delivery.
A section of the store will also be dedicated to local acts, with Mr Turner keen to bring the Furness music community closer together and establish TnT as a hub for bands and artists.
“I’ve been involved with a number of bands over the years such as CodeJAK, Wildfire and Pink As Floyd, and so has my dad and my brother,” said Mr Turner.
“We know just how good the local scene is and how important it is that we help to promote it.”
The impressive ground-floor of the store will have two listening lounges for people to ‘try before they buy’, and work is already beginning on making use of the large first and second-floor spaces, as TnT looks to capitalise on its prime location in Barrow town centre.
Mr Turner added: “I have big plans for this place in the coming months, and I’d love to establish it as a place where people come to meet, hang out, and, of course, buy some great records!”
TnT Records has a private invite-only launch on Friday (21), and opens to the public on Saturday (22) from 10am.
