AN IDEA scribbled down by a music fan on his lunch break has turned into a business.

James Brown was taking a break from his work as a landscape gardener when he wrote down 'Vinyl Cafe' on a scrap of paper while listening to music "out of the blue".

His shop of that name has opened in Abbey Street, Carlisle, where it sells vinyl records as well as coffees, teas and baked food.

He said: "I just have a passion for music and I have always liked to listen to it on vinyl."

Last year 1.29m LPs were sold in the UK, up from 205,000 in 2005, an increase of more than 500 per cent.

Mr Brown, 44, who lives in Dacre, near Penrith, said: "I wanted a record shop that was comfortable to browse in.

"This is an environment where you can come in, relax and listen to music.

"You can play the records first before you buy them."

Mr Brown is proud of the eclectic variety of music he has on offer. He also sells second hand LPs and 7in singles.

His fiancee, Lynn Simpson, works in the shop where she handles the catering side of the business.

She has always worked in catering, most recently at Southwaite Services.

More information is available on the shop's Facebook page.