Shop Visit | Pop Recs LTD

I've spent most of my day today (Friday 21st) at 'Pop Recs LTD', flicking through vinyl, taking photos and supping coffee.

Pop Recs LTD is a pop up shop in Sunderland, in the North East of England, selling vinyl records, photography, art, furniture, tee's and totes. Opened by the Sunderland based band 'Frankie & The Heartstrings', it's a project that aims to bring great live music and arts to the city. The pop up shop isn't just a shop though, it's a place where you can just go and get a fresh coffee if you wish, sit in or takeaway it's up to you. There's also live music by top acts on certain nights, for free! 

The shop is set out well, and there's a real free, easy and relaxing atmosphere, it's a place where you are sure to meet someone with the same interests as you. You could go there by yourself, get a coffee, and just end up chatting to a complete stranger, (as I did over some Stone Roses records I had in my hand, at the time of ordering coffee). This definitely isn't a bad thing, too many people nowadays seem to have a great fear of striking up conversation with a complete stranger, so this pop up shop really helps bring like minded people who live in the city, and from afar, together.

The idea of turning a derelict shop in the city centre into a shop, arts and music venue was only meant to be a two week experiment. But thanks to big acts such as Edwyn Collins, Badly Drawn Boy and Ross Jarman (The Cribs) playing for free having gone down extremely well with the people, 'Frankie & The Heartstrings' have decided to take two months out from promoting their second album ('The Days Run Away'), to put all their time and energy into keeping the shop open, and are committed to bringing in more big acts.

This isn't just a promotion thing or a gimmick for the bands success. It's local lads who grew up in this city, who really care about wanting to put Sunderland on the map, and letting people know that you don't have to travel to the neighbouring city of Newcastle to be apart of or enjoy events like this.

I enjoyed my time at the shop, the fresh coffee, the complimentary chocolate cornflake cake, the layout of the shop, the music playing in the background and talking to those cool, down to earth local lads who make up the band that is 'Frankie & The Heartstrings'. So if your into your music and the arts, and you want to be served coffee by members of a really cool indie rock band, then what are you waiting for, get on down.ACM

www.frankieandtheheartstrings.com