A FORMER roadie for U2 and the Rolling Stones has returned home to open a new music store on the outskirts of Bradford's city centre.

Access All Areas has been set up by former musician and roadie Alistair Brackenridge, who has teamed up with renowned drummer Billy Lockwood to open the store in Brearton Street, off Manningham Lane.

Together they hope to provide a one-stop-shop for a musician's every need. They are also offering what they believe is a unique out-of-hours service, offering emergency help to musicians in need.

Mr Brackenridge said: “We want this to be a place where musicians can come in and hang out, have a coffee and try the instruments.

“A lot of places are quite stuffy and we want to be a very relaxed place.

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“We can also be contacted out of hours by musicians in need as well. There has been many time a drum has broken just before a gig and we will be there to help.”

Access All Areas will also offer a wide range of tuition with Mr Lockwood providing the expertise on drums, bass and guitar, while Dave Kamelion will teach keyboards, clarinet and saxophone.

Mr Lockwood said: “I have taught thousands of students over the past 35 years as a professional touring drummer and drum teacher, I still teach many students today including drum tutors across the north of England.

"This is an exciting new venture and is another good addition to Bradford's shopping scene which is definitely on the up, especially with the arrival of the new Westfield mall.”

Mr Brackenridge, who was the drummer with The New Tornados before working as a roadie for some of the biggest bands in the world for 25 years, said the store will be hosting special workshops with top drummers.

He added: “Music is in my blood and since I stopped working on tours I still wanted to be involved in some way.

“This seemed ideal.”

The store, which opened its doors on Wednesday, can be contacted through Facebook and Twitter by searching for Access All Areas Bradford. The shop is open seven days a week from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

It is close to Bradford's Independent Quarter, which centres on North Parade, where a number of independent shops, bars and cafes have opened in recent months.