News
Cassette tapes are making a big comeback
Get ready for tangled tape and a homemade mixtape off a mate!
Cassette tapes are making a comeback, according to new industry figures.
From data collected by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), figures show cassette sales across the UK soared to their highest level in two decades last year, according to new analysis.
During the 12-month period of 2022, around 195,000 tapes were sold, representing a yearly growth of 5.2%, the BPI said.
Research from the firm showed that on ten occasions in 2022 cassette sales accounted for more than 10% of purchases for the No.1 album, in the weekly Official Albums Chart.
As ’80s and ’90s nostalgia can be seen being recycled in modern fashions, and with films and bands making comebacks — such as Jurassic Park and Backstreet Boys — so have older technologies such as the use of cassette tapes.
Vinyl records remain the more popular choice for retro-loving music fans, but new sales figures show cassette tapes are now making a comeback too — looks like we’re rewinding to the 20th century!
But thanks to some major artists releasing their music on the nearly extinct format, some chart-topping albums like Florence + The Machine’s Dance Fever, and 5SOS5 by 5 Seconds of Summer, sold more copies on cassette than on vinyl when they debuted at the top of the charts.
More than a fifth of each album’s first week chart sales were claimed by cassette tapes.
The Car by Arctic Monkeys and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House ranked as the albums which sold the most cassettes tapes across the UK last year.
Central Cee, The 1975 and Machine Gun Kelly featured among other artists and bands that also made the top ten list for sales — generating a revival of the decades old relic.
All but two of the top ten sellers recorded more than 5,000 cassette sales during the year. Cassettes dominated the musical album market in the 1980s and ’90s before being knocked off the top spot by CDs. In 2012, annual sales of cassettes dropped below 4,000 units.
But purchases of the retro format have regained popularity in recent years, with sales growing for a tenth consecutive year in 2022.
Two-years-ago cassette purchases nearly doubled in size, jumping from 80,000 units to around 160,000.
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who played Bet Lynch, has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband has revealed.
The 81-year-old who played the iconic pub landlady of the Rovers Return on the show sought medical advice after ‘suffering forgetfulness’ but there was now ‘no hope of a reversal in the situation’, her husband Scott Brand said.
He shared news of her diagnosis in a statement, writing: “My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis.
“Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation — and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.
“We have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out.
“Inevitably she is recognised, and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired. I hope people will understand.”
Goodyear played the leopard-skin-wearing, big-haired barmaid on the cobbles from 1966 to 2003.
Thanks to Goodyear, Bet Lynch became one of the ITV soap opera’s longest-serving and best-loved characters.
The iconic actress also appeared on reality shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Fit Club.
News
Tragedy as police find body of missing man last seen leaving pub
Police have confirmed the body as being Christopher
Police have confirmed a body has been tragically found in the search for a missing man in Marple.
Christopher Barlow, 31, was last seen shortly after 1am on Sunday, June 4th after leaving the Royal Oak pub in Mellor, Stockport.
He was last sighted turning left to walk along Brabyns Brow from Town Street.
Police officers and specialist teams searched a specific area beside the Peak Forest and remained at the scene after the tragic discovery on Tuesday, June 6th.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the body as being Christopher, and his family have been informed. A report is currently being prepared for the Coroner’s Office.
Detective Superintendent Helen Critchley, of GMP’s Stockport district, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with Chris’s family and friends at this very distressing time.
“I would also like to thank the local community for their support with the search and the wider public for their assistance in sharing our appeal.”
According to The Manchester Evening News, on Monday evening (June 5th) the water search and marine unit, as well as a number of police vehicles and detectives were at the scene.
A large section of the canal was closed off to boats the next day as the search for Christopher continued.
Canal towpaths were also taped off as divers went into the water and officers searched nearby woodland.
News
Man to complete visiting every Wetherspoon pub in Britain and Ireland this week
Now he only has one final pub left to visit
A man will complete his visit to every Wetherspoon pub in Britain and Ireland this week as he sips his final pint to conclude his mission.
Most people like to see how far they can make it in a pub crawl but David Bingham, 60, decided to take it much further than that.
The Derbyshire man, who set out on the task in 2019, will conclude his journey of sipping a pint at all 875 Wetherspoon venues this week, including the 40 that have closed.
Now he only has one final pub left to visit, and he’s booked a flight at the South Terminal in Gatwick Airport in order to tick it off his long list.
The last of the boozers will be The Flying Horse, which is conveniently located right after security at the airport. Wetherspoons has praised his dedication.
Mr Bingham, from West Hallam, has said his other passions are trainspotting and following Burton Albion. He took on the challenge while also pursuing his other hobbies. Mr Bingham told the BBC: “If we were going somewhere new, I’d suss out the Wetherspoons.”
His partner Una Cooper bought him a directory of the pubs and he began ticking them off. “I’ve had a drink in most pubs, I’d say 85%,” he said.
“I’m a lager lad, definitely. The one in Ramsgate [in the Royal Victoria Pavilion] is my favourite because the history behind that building is incredible.
“But there are five police stations, there are churches, there’s chapels, there’s a tram depot, there’s a fire station.
“They just save these fantastic buildings. I love architecture and I love buildings. It’s a history lesson.”
Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon, said: “We applaud David Bingham on his outstanding achievement.
“Many people love to visit Wetherspoon pubs across the UK and Ireland, but only a handful have visited each and every one. David will now join that select group.
“He has obviously put in a lot of time and effort into achieving his goal and we thank him for his dedication to our pubs.”
Strictly’s Amy Dowden supported by co-stars as she begins cancer treatment
First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths gets ‘all clear’ after one-year bowel cancer scan
A Greek, Caribbean and Argentinian barbecue is coming to Manchester
Arctic Monkeys spotted boozing in Manchester ‘Spoons
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia
