Pardon Me: Inside the new record bar in Farsley's Sunny Bank Mills where 'the music is front and centre'

Farsley has further reason to regard itself as one of the most desirable neighbourhoods of Leeds following the opening of a stylish new record bar where “the music is front and centre”.

Pardon Me opened in Sunny Bank Mills in May and has already become a huge hit with locals and those from further afield wanting to hear abstract music through their expertly tailored hi-fi system in a comfortable setting.

For co-owner Scott Rapson, 56, it is a dream that has been long in the making.

Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, Scott has been DJing for 36 years and organising nights in Edinburgh for a large chunk of that.

“I started DJing in raves and moved to clubs and then in bars”, he said. “That became my hidden secret while I worked in the corporate world.”

Scott began booking big name DJs at a friend’s bar in Edinburgh and a growing love and appreciation for venues where music is intentionally listened to brought about the desire to set up one of his own.

It would also serve as an ideal place to house his ever-growing record collection.

“It’s always been a vision of mine”, he said. “The inspiration comes from the jazz kissa bars which was a post-war thing in Japan that would essentially be a man in his house with a record collection and supplying coffee and whiskey.

“These types of bars are now spreading all over the world.”

After moving to his partner Laurie Sealeaf’s home town of Halifax two and a half years ago, the couple began doing some market research by travelling around Europe and visiting various bars in Athens, Paris, Berlin and Lisbon.

Scott said he stumbled on an advert for a space in Sunny Bank Mills, the repurposed mill that has become a hotbed for independent traders, earlier this year and after pitching to the directors, received the permission to use space.

Asked how the travels around Europe inspired the venue, he said: “There’s a classic quote that ‘talent borrows and genius steals’.”

Other bar owners were more than happy to help the couple with ideas and contacts as they set up the venue, which they say is “mid century Japanese inspired”.

The bar serves natural wines, cocktails, beers and coffee, and the “beautiful, warm” high fidelity sound system has been installed to offer ultimate listening pleasure.

Scott said: “We wanted to make somewhere that people can come and relax and listen to some beautiful music. That’s the key kicker for us.”

The name ‘Pardon Me’ is a reference to Scott’s frequency for swearing, which often ends up with him (or Laurie) apologising when it is in the wrong situation.

He said: “I didn’t want a name related to something musical. I wanted it to be a mystery.”

In the month since opening the bar has been full of visitors, and Scott said he has been blown away by the enthusiasm and musical knowledge of locals.

“Farsley’s a beautiful hub”, he said. “There’s something special going on here now and I’m humbled by the local support.”

He said that looking forward he hopes to bring in DJs “who have the best record collections out there” and may also look at other events such as game nights.

Pardon Me is open Thursday (5pm - 11pm), Friday (5pm - 12.30am), Saturday (11am - 12.30am) and Sunday (11am - 10pm). For more information follow them on Instagram by searching ‘pardon_me’.