Wonder Stuff frontman's brother has records of his own on Shrewsbury stall

A love of music and a sudden redundancy led to Russ Hunt fulfilling his dream.

The 52-year-old brother of The Wonder Stuff's frontman has just taken over the keys to White Rabbit Records – and he hopes to take advantage of an increasing popularity in vinyl.

And he says he is relishing the opportunity to turn the business into the gold mine he thinks it could be.

With a family heritage firmly rooted in music, it seemed that Russ was the odd one out when he plumped for a career in IT.

His father had been a big band drummer while his uncle had been in 70s supergroup Wizard.

But a sudden redundancy in June this year saw one door close and another one open for Oakengates-based Russ.

He said: "It was like fate really. I was made redundant from a job I had had for 17 years in June. I decided to take the summer off and really decide what I wanted to do.

"I went in to the market one day and there was a For Sale sign up on the record stall. It's like it was meant to be. I spent some time discussing terms with the owner and we came to an agreement we were both happy with. It all worked out really well.

"I knew I didn't want to get back on the employee merry go round and this seemed like the ideal solution. I've always been the sensible one and this is my chance now."

And he has high hopes for his new venture. Vinyl sales are on the increase nationally because of nostalgic music fans and through demand from club DJs who still like to handle the discs.

Russ said: "Shrewsbury has three great record shops and it would be great of we could work together to help customers find exactly what they are looking for. Vinyl is still very popular: there are shops in London selling thousands of records each year. It would be great if we could tap in to that second-hand market up here in Shrewsbury.

"Over the next few weeks people will see a change in White Rabbit Records. The name is staying the same but the logo will be changing. Another thing I will be changing is that there are currently as many books as there are records in the shop, but this will change.

"There is a very good second-hand book stall just over the way from me in the market so why should I try and compete with him? I want to focus on records and music. It is what I know about. I am going to stock more soul music and punk and new wave.

"I want people to just be able to come in and have a mooch around. The kettle is always on. Shrewsbury could make its name as the place to come for vinyl."

White Rabbit Records is situated on the balcony level of the market.