Beyond reports on the arrival of The Spinning Room HiFi, an exciting new retail space for music lovers in the historic Sunny Bank Mills complex on the outskirts of Leeds.

Pictures by infocusphotography.co.uk

As a child growing up in the early 80s Paul Knipe was never happier than when he was sitting in his bedroom playing his favourite 45s he’d bought at Woolworths on his trusty old record player.

Now 40 years on, Paul is hoping to spark a new wave of music appreciation, particularly among younger generations who may not have grown up with two-channel stereo systems in their homes.

Unlike conventional HiFi shops, The Spinning Room HiFi has been designed as a welcoming, judgement-free zone where anyone interested in music is encouraged to stop by, listen, and chat.

Talking about the venture, which is located in the heart of Sunny Bank Mills, Paul said: “As an obsessive audiophile music nut who has lived and breathed this hobby for decades, it was always my dream to one day share my passion for all things music-related.

“And that is what The Spinning Room is all about – modernising how people shop for hi-fi equipment and with a fresh approach, making it more accessible to more people – especially the younger generations who may never have owned a record player in their life.

“Our aim is to grow the hobby of immersing ourselves in music at home by showing people how to get the most from their music and as specialists in both vinyl and digital playback, we’ve got something for everybody to explore.”

Stocking a range of products to suit all levels of interest and experience from entry-level gear for newcomers to high-performance equipment for long-time enthusiasts, the shop caters to a wide spectrum.

The selection includes familiar names such as Technics, Pro-Ject, and Ortofon, alongside boutique brands and local artisans. Highlights include Ophidian audio speakers, hand-built in Liverpool, Etsuro Urushi cartridges from Japan, Guy Sergeant’s Puresound valve electronics, and Solid-Sounds bespoke furniture crafted just two miles from the shop.

But invigoration rather than intimidation is their motto and despite such a daunting array of stock Paul is as happy talking to a teenager looking to buy their first system as he is chatting to a seasoned customer who has come looking for an expensive upgrade.

He said: “We like to see it as a community hub as much as a HiFi retailer and whether you’re new to HiFi or a seasoned audiophile, the shop is positioned as a place to explore and enjoy music in a relaxed environment.

“We have a range of accessories starting at £10 and upwards and equipment ranging from £55 at entry level up to high end prices for some of the most respected and sophisticated systems in the world but the satisfaction of introducing somebody to the world of music and helping them build their first system for a few hundred pounds is just as satisfying as those big sales to me.”

The shop encourages people to experience how good their favourite music can sound on a properly set-up HiFi system which is often a revelation to all our customers, young and old.

Paul added: “We don’t want anybody to feel intimidated, as this certainly shouldn’t be an elitist hobby which is why we’re always here to talk you through how to get the most from your music.”

The family and friends team behind The Spinning Room HiFi believe they’ve crafted more than just a shop — they’ve created a destination that embodies the idea of a ‘perfect day’, as famously captured in Lou Reed’s song. With a mix of music, culture, food, and community, visitors can spend hours exploring Sunny Bank Mills and still find time to relax with a great album playing through a quality system in the comfort of one of the most relaxing hi-fi shops you’ll ever find.

Paul added: “Our philosophy is simple and that is to help you enjoy your music more at home, by delivering excellent value for money and also offering something innovative and unique and an exceptional sound experience.”

Open from Thursday to Sunday, The Spinning Room HiFi is located on the ground floor at:

Sunny Bank Mills, 14 Festoon Rooms, Town Street, Farsley, Leeds LS28 5UJ.

T: 07809 223988
E: info@thespinningroomhifi.co.uk
W: thespinningroomhifi.co.uk