We're highlighting the shortlisted coffee shops in our competition in the News & Star. Each of the establishments will be featured over ten issues.

Vinyl Cafe has been nominated by News & Star readers as one of the ten finalists in its 'Best Coffee Shop 2024' award.

The coffee shop, which also sells an array of records from the Rolling Stones to Rod Stewart is located on Carlisle's Abbey Street and is run by owners James and Lynn Brown who opened the cafe in 2016.

After being informed that Vinyl Cafe had been nominated by News & Star readers to feature in the final ten of the 'Best Coffee Shop 2024' award James was on hand to express his delight. 

He said: "I am chuffed to bits.

"It's a privilege because we not only welcome customers but we have almost become friends over the years. 

"Many people love the atmosphere, the jukebox we have in the cafe, and the music which is playing.

"We love to relax, have a chin wag, and people like having a good old chat in surroundings that they are maybe not quite used to.

"We also serve quality local coffee from Bruce and Lukes and it is great to be in a community where local businesses support one another."

James also discussed how his own passion for music has helped bring the soul of the cafe to life and make it popular local spot.

He said: "Most of our customers love music and have their own turntables so they might buy a record and have a coffee.

"In my experience in buying records myself when I was a kid, it is quite a demanding thing looking through vinyl.

"Sometimes you just think that you want a coffee and a sit down and that is where the premise came from.

"We have also become attached to our customers and we love chatting about music and I think that love runs through the place."