This store, broadly thought-about the final of its variety within the UK, is ready to increase.
Mars Tapes in Afflecks Palace is increasing (Picture: Equipped)
They could look like relics of a bygone period, however demand for the modest cassette stays robust. CDs and digital streaming appeared to spell doom for the mixtape, but in a tucked-away spot inside Manchester’s Northern Quarter, they’re flying off the cabinets.
Credit score goes to Mars Tapes — broadly considered Britain’s last cassette retailer. Operated by Alex Tadros and located inside Manchester’s different purchasing vacation spot, Afflecks Palace, the enterprise has thrived and now stands poised for its newest evolution.
“After seven years of development, we’re coming into into our third enlargement,” Alex says. “This time shifting right down to a a lot bigger unit on the first flooring of Afflecks Palace – one of many largest items within the constructing.”
Co-owners Borja (L) and Alex of Mars Tapes (Picture: Kenny Brown | Manchester Night Information)
Mars tapes shares an assortment of classics, a ‘Rewind’ assortment, that are official tapes missing their paper inserts, mixtapes and consignments of contemporary releases from main labels.
The enlarged premises will showcase an prolonged library of cassette tapes, a broader number of restored classic audio equipment, and the launch of the Mars Tapes Listening Cafe — a chosen space the place patrons can savour espresso while having fun with tapes from the store’s catalogue, stories the Manchester Night Information.
To mark the enlargement, they’re staging a weekend celebration on March 7 and eight. The venue will function a Dave Haslam DJ set on the Sunday and a stay efficiency from rising Glasgow outfit Cowboy Hunters on the Saturday – the latter will likely be launching a contemporary EP on cassette via Bitter Grapes Information.
The weekend may also welcome Horace Panter (The Specials), who will likely be showcasing his cassette art work all through each days. A variety of in-store promotions for numerous cassette merchandise will likely be accessible, alongside meals and beverage affords.
Mars Tapes is believed to be the nation’s solely store promoting cassette tapes, and tape gamers. (Picture: Kenny Brown | Manchester Night Information)
“Our cassette store began again in 2019 in maybe the smallest unit in Afflecks Palace, and we by no means anticipated to develop in the way in which we have now,” provides Alex.
“Now within the midst of our third enlargement, into one of many largest areas within the constructing we needed to have fun with the entire cassette aficionados that made it attainable! We’re providing meals, drinks and in-store offers, alongside some implausible stay music from Cowboy Hunters, and DJ units from Dave Haslam and Glue Tape Jockeys (a cassette DJ set).
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“We’re additionally excited to be bringing down Horace Panter of The Specials who will likely be exhibiting a few of his implausible cassette primarily based art work. It is gonna be a tape heads dream weekend and we will not wait to welcome everybody right down to the brand new retailer.”
The launch occasion takes place on March 7 and eight at Afflecks Palace, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW. Complimentary tickets may be secured via Skiddle.
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