Sales of cassette tapes in the UK are now at the highest they have been since 2003, with Harry Styles and Arctic Monkeys spearheading the change.
With the annual Record Store Day coming up this Saturday 22 April, music lovers across Leeds and the UK are set to flock to their nearest independent trader to celebrate.
Most people have grown to accept the resurgence of vinyl and have been welcoming it with open arms – but now, it seems the retro revival is ready to take one step further.
The time for a cassette comeback is here.
A recent analysis from by The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has found that, although they still remain lower than vinyl, cassette sales have increased consecutively every year for the last 10 years.
Image: Domino Records
The total number of sales have risen from 3,823 in 2012 to more than 195,000 in 2022.
And to make it even more impressive, all 20 of the biggest-selling cassettes in 2022 were actually released in that year, rather than historic releases – with popular artists including Arctic Monkeys, Harry Styles and Florence + the Machine leading the charge and claiming the top spots on the list.
Paul Williams, spokesperson for the British Phonographic Industry, said he can easily see cassettes following in the footsteps of vinyl over the next few years.
He believes cassettes are already experiencing a similar trajectory to records.
Image: Unsplash
“Not long ago, people would have written off the cassette, but I think you have to learn the lessons of the vinyl market which had an incredible revival,” Mr Williams admitted to Sky News.
“It’s something at a lower level, but it is happening now with cassettes.
“There’s this return for people wanting to own music, to go out and buy, and what we’ve noticed with the cassette market is that the cassettes, and the artists that are doing well, are artists with real fan bases.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has shared an update this afternoon, after a man died in a horrifying tiger attack at the zoo yesterday.
The wildlife park, which remains closed today, has informed customers of the future of the tiger involved, Altai.
Emergency services rushed to the park near Doncaster at around 1.30pm on Saturday, after reports of a man climbing into the tiger enclosure.
Tragically, the man involved in the tiger attack lost his life.
The zoo has said that its 'thoughts and heartfelt sympathies' remain with the man's family and loved ones.
They also said that its staff team have been left 'deeply affected' by the tiger attack and will be receiving specialist support.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has now shared that Altai, the male tiger in question, is 'safe and well' and will not be euthanised as a result of the incident.
In a statement, they said: "We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
"The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support.
"Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident."
Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month
Clementine Hall
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
The Hoot -
20th April 2023 
