Since opening its first store in 1976, Rough Trade has remained an oasis for music fans of all kinds, and soon you’ll be able to get your fix right here in the North West. Soon vinyl obsessives will be able to make the pilgrimage to the newest Rough Trade store, which is set to be its biggest and most impressive yet, and it’ll only be a train ride from Manchester, in Liverpool.
Always at odds with Manchester when it comes to the likes of football, Liverpool agrees with Manchester when it comes to music, and the two cities make for an absolute powerhouse of music history and culture. With stores in London, Bristol and Nottingham, the Rough Trade store in Liverpool will be the first North West venture for the iconic music label, and it seems about time.
The Liverpool branch will span a total of 6,500 square feet and, alongside its eclectic selection of records, will have its own bar and cafe offering draught beer and fresh coffee in collaboration with Signature Brew and Dark Arts. So, essentially, you could stay at Rough Trade Liverpool worshipping the gods of punk, reggae, jazz and art pop from dusk ’til dawn.
The exact opening day is yet to be announced, but Liverpudlians, and those in the North West fancying a day trip, can expect to find the store at 50-56 Hanover Street in the city centre early this year. Like its other branches, the Rough Trade Liverpool will also host live events and performances from both national and local artists.
With Liverpool having hosted Eurovision last year in the place of Ukraine, the spotlight has yet again be thrust on the city, and if opening a shiny new Rough Trade in the city is a sign of things to come, we’re excited for what the future holds.