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when it was Binns. The inside we wanted to keep clean and simple, so we could decorate it with photos showing the history of the shop really, so it still feels like Pop Recs.”
Pop Recs’ legacy is the cultural impact that it’s had on young people locally, either through employable hospitality skills, or nurturing the next generation of musicians and artists. Whether
experience. It means we’re able to bake our own bread, do everything in-house. We’ve also been mates for nearly 20 years; he’s promoted gigs and done various stuff for us in the past, so it’s worked out perfectly in terms of how he contributes and elevates us.”
As a Sunderland local and massive Lads
fan, Michael has done the decent thing and burdened his son with the same optimisery. They’re both SAFC season ticket holders and love the matchday experience despite having to watch the football.
“I think on paper, we probably are the third best team in the League, but when it comes to the crowds, the atmosphere, the passion, it’s absolutely unreal. We’re by no means third place. The opportunity for these lads to do that, just be involved in the game that gets us promoted, it would be an incredible moment they’ll remember for the rest of their careers, let alone score the winning goal or clear it off the line, or see out the last five minutes when the place is just rocking. Some of these lads won’t get an opportunity to play at a bigger club. They have an opportunity here to not just play for us, but go up through the leagues with us as well. Who wouldn’t want to do that? It’s the best club in the world. Who wouldn’t want to play for Sunderland?”
HUNGER, MELODY, DECENCY
it’s popular local band Roxy Girls, who formed after working together in the coffee shop, or the countless music, poetry, and craft clubs that have found a home here, it’s clear the City is crying out for cultural spaces run by people who’ve been there and done it. Fortunately, the new Pop Recs has space in abundance.
THE BABY ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
“The new venue supports 250 people, so if anyone’s been to The Cluny, it has that kind of size and vibe about it. We try to support local, so we have Vaux beer in the taps. We put on local acts and we also have a promoter working with us so we can actually book touring bands and give local acts the support slots. We also have comedy nights, poetry nights, supper club takeovers. We’re also really lucky to have Dan [Shannon] here, whose Midnight Pizza
Cru has its own reputation. In the past Dan
has been involved with Holmeside Coffee, Flat Caps in Newcastle. He’s even worked with a Michelin Star restaurant, so has a lot of catering
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BY CHRIS THOMPSON