81 Renshaw opened its doors in 2016 as a record store and has since become the most sought-after spot for Liverpool music lovers.
While many go into business for the prospect of riches, 81 Renshaw is the product of managing director Neil Tilly’s passion for music. Neil told the ECHO: “I was lucky enough that I was doing this because I wanted to and it was something I loved.
“I was surprised with how well it did, but vinyls have really taken off, I think people have realized the value in having something physical. Luckily we started to get regular customers, and we still have people coming in every week”
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When asked what was the best thing about owning the shop, Neil said: “Probably the customers and their love and enthusiasm for music. We show them new music and discover new artists through them. That’s the biggest joy I get.
“Because we’ve gotten to know them, they will buy from us on recommendations because we know what they like. With our label, when we announce new releases, customers will order it because they trust what we’re going to put out, which is really gratifying.”
Owning a shop in the city best known for being the home of The Beatles, 81 Renshaw holds a unique and rich history tied to the band.
Back in the 1960s, 81 Renshaw was home to Mersey Beat, a music magazine created by Bill Harry, a classmate of John Lennon at Liverpool Art College, made to reflect and promote the outpouring of new music talent that Liverpool was producing at the time. The Beatles were closely associated with Mersey Beat and were frequent visitors of the building.
Today, fans travel from all around to see the spot and visit the vinyl shop, Neil said: “You’ll get people turning up from all parts of the world, it’s the die-hard Beatles fans that know of the place and those on the walking tour.”
As well as being a record store, 81 Renshaw is also home to Neil’s music label 9x9 since 2019. The label aims to highlight the creative ambitions of gifted local musicians.
Discussing his passion for Liverpool's music and how it’s developed over the years and since the Beatles, Neil added: “Liverpool has never been dominated by a particular genre because the city’s its own genre. Liverpool’s music has led the way rather than changed.”
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