Young muso finds the right notes with first record store in Leigh

Brandan Nolan, from Boothstown, set up his own record store out of Walkden's Pembroke Hall Indoor Market in 2021, after struggling to find a job that he enjoyed after university.

An avid record collector with a passion for music, Brandan built a trusted reputation in Walkden but said he had been looking to expand from the market stall.

With an opening at the creative hub at Leigh Spinners Mill, Brandan said it felt like the "perfect fit" and 'Sticky Black Tarmac' opened to the public on Saturday, March 4.

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The new record store proved a hit with customers on its opening weekend (Image: Sticky Black Tarmac)

Brandan, 25, said: "I've got a lot of mates in Leigh who like their music and there aren't any record shops in the town, so it felt like a good place to open up.

"It's a good catchment area too because I've already had people from Wigan and Bolton coming in, and it's not far away from places like Warrington and Salford.

"I was actively looking for somewhere bigger with more things going on, so the Mill felt like a perfect fit. It feels like it's on the up."

Brandan opened his first record shop at the Pembroke Indoor Market in Walkden (Image: Sticky Black Tarmac)

With more than 60 independent business and community organisations housed at Spinners Mill, Stick Black Tarmac is located on the third floor with neighbours such as Leigh Hackspace and Love Me Again clothes shop.

Spending time curating the collection, Brandan has filled the record shop with an eclectic mix of new releases, old classics, and a journey through the genres.

Also stocking books, merchandise, and accessories, the young record collector said he has been pleased with the custom and feedback he has recieved in Leigh so far.

The new record store is located on the third floor of Leigh Spinners Mill (Image: Sticky Black Tarmac)

Brandan added: "It's been great so far and I've been really pleased with the range of things people have picked up and bought.

"Music tastes aren't as tribal anymore and people seem a lot more open to listening to new music, so it's good to see people picking out the records I've chosen as I do spend a lot of time curating it!"

A selection of the records on offer at Sticky Black Tarmac (Image: Sticky Black Tarmac)

Aiming to let more people know where Sticky Black Tarmac is and what it has on offer, Brandan said he is particularly looking forward to Record Store Day which is coming up in April.

With hundreds of independent record shops coming together to celebrate music and vinyl, Record Store Day is an opportunity to showcase a variety of new and remastered releases and attract more people into record shops like Brandan's.

Sticky Black Tarmac opens from 2pm-7.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-6.30pm on Fridays, and 10am-5pm on Saturdays.