NEMS

North End Music Stores (NEMS) - 12-14 Whitechapel NEMS began as a furniture shop on Great Charlotte Street, established by Brian Epstein’s family. It also sold musical instruments and records and in 1957 Brian became the manager of the record department. Due to its success a larger branch was opened on Whitechapel. It was here, according to legend, that Brian first heard about the Beatles. From late October 1961 customers were starting to ask for a record by the group and he did not have it in stock. Days later Brian went to the Cavern to hear the Beatles play a lunchtime slot. Throughout December they met Brian at his offices at NEMS and would sign their management contract with him there in January 1962. Brian started a separate company here called NEMS Enterprises, which would move to Moorfields. NEMS grew to become one of the biggest music retail outlets with branches across the north west. Selling tickets for concerts and music publications, as well as the records themselves, NEMS quickly became a popular hangout for young fans and musicians. As of June 2021 the location is a branch of Next.

Photo metadata – 352 ENG/2/21349 Sign over NEMS, Greenwoods Building, Whitechapel, dated 23/01/1961. Image appears courtesy of Liverpool Central Library and Archive.