All Together Bury: Ben Soothill and Louise Jackson, Wax and Beans
As part of our All Together Bury series, we’re celebrating the independent businesses that bring creativity, culture and connection to the town centre. This time, we caught up with Ben Soothill and Louise Jackson, founders of Wax and Beans, the much-loved record shop and café on Market Street.
Blending vinyl, great coffee, food and atmosphere, Wax and Beans has become a go-to spot for music lovers and coffee drinkers alike.
Q: For anyone who hasn’t visited before, how would you describe Wax and Beans?
Ben and Louise:
“We’re a combination of records, coffee and food – all wrapped up in what we hope is a great customer experience. More than anything, we want it to feel welcoming. The kind of place you can drop into, take your time, and feel comfortable being yourself.”
Q: How did Wax and Beans begin?
Ben and Louise:
“Opening a record shop had been a 25-year dream, and after some challenging times working in the corporate world, it felt like the right moment to take the leap.”
“Wax and Beans grew out of a desire to do something meaningful, creative and people-focused and to build a space we’d want to spend time in ourselves.”
Q: What makes Wax and Beans special and uniquely ‘Bury’?
Ben and Louise:
“It’s the combination of what we offer, but also how we offer it. We work really hard to create a friendly, inclusive atmosphere and to treat people how we’d want to be treated when we walk into a space like this.”
“Bury has such a strong sense of community, and we’re proud to be part of that – seeing familiar faces, welcoming new ones, and building genuine connections with customers.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of Bury’s business community?
Ben and Louise:
“The support between independent businesses here is amazing. There’s a lot of love and encouragement, and everyone genuinely wants each other to succeed. That sense of togetherness makes a huge difference.”
Q: This campaign is called ‘All Together Bury’. What does that idea mean to you?
Ben and Louise:
“All Together Bury does a brilliant job of connecting businesses through positive stories and promotion. It celebrates the good stuff – the people, creativity and energy that make the town what it is.”
“We love being part of something that champions independents and helps share those stories with a wider audience.”
Q: And finally – your Bury favourites…
Favourite spots: “Kwoff Wine Shop, Loofe’s, The Met, Barista, Bury Art Museum and The Frame Shop.”
Go-to coffee or treat: “Wax and Beans – of course!”
Q: What’s next for Wax and Beans?
Ben & Louise:
“We’re focused on expanding and continuing to innovate — whether that’s through unique products, creative projects or our social media content.”
“We’re especially proud of our customer service and our Now Spinning series of vinyl releases, and we’re excited to keep building on that.”
Follow @DiscoverBury to discover more stories celebrating the people, places and independents that make our town such a vibrant and creative place – All Together Bury.
