A BARROW trader has said he is ‘blown away’ after hearing news his store has been shortlisted for a national award within a year of opening.

Dave Turner, owner of TNT Records, on Duke Street, revealed he heard about the store’s Long Live Vinyl Magazine’s Record Shop of the Year 2019 award nomination via email from a friend.

Coincidentally, the news comes in the same week it was revealed vinyl is set to outsell CDs for the first time since 1986.

Mr Turner said: “To hear that we’ve been nominated for this award is great.

“I’m blown away because we’ve not even been open for a year.

“The vinyl industry is exploding like TNT.

“To be shortlisted for this award is a big thing for us - it’s the equivalent of the Oscars."

The independent store owner said he believed his store had been shortlisted due to Barrow’s love for records.

“I’d like to thank the Barrow public because the demand for records has been incredible,” he said.

“We’re extremely passionate about what we do and we’ll bend over backwards to hunt across the world for a vinyl.

“We quickly established after five months because the industry is exploding like TNT.”

Mr Turner’s claims are supported by news revenue generated by record sales is likely to surpass the revenue generated by CDs.

Iain Raftery, owner of Fat Bob’s stall in Barrow Market, also recognised the benefits of records over the out-of-date CD.

He said: “I think it’s great news that there are people getting back into collecting vinyl, and enjoying listening to an album.

“The artwork is good enough to go on a wall, which people are also now doing.”

Going forward, Mr Turner has big plans for his store and is hoping to take home top prize at the award ceremony in December.

“Winning would propel us and give us a great sense of confidence and security," he said. “There are plans to open the floor above our store to create a record cafe.”