Teenager inspired by Luke Littler opens darts shop

A 14-year-old who opened his own darts equipment shop has said he would never have got into the sport if it was not for professional player Luke Littler.

Raymond started playing in December 2023 when Littler rapidly rose to fame, and he noticed the sport's popularity growing amongst young people.

With the support of his parents, Raymond opened the shop in a disused pub in Middlewich, Cheshire, in June.

"It's going great," he smiled, "people come in and say hello - it's like a community of people."

The shop's popularity has allowed Raymond to expand to hosting a Wednesday night academy.

Raymond expects even more custom after Littler won the World Darts Championship final last night at the Alexandra Palace.

When he first took up the sport, Raymond visited a darts equipment shop in St Helens and was taken aback by how busy it was.

Living with his parents above a former pub, The Kinderton Arms, he suggested they convert downstairs into a darts shop.

"It was all my son's idea," admitted dad Julian. "Me and his mum thought it sounded like a good idea, let's go for it."

The shop opens only at weekends, so the teenage boss can be behind the counter, however it does open its doors to young players every Wednesday night.

The darts academy they have set up continues to grow with the youngest member just eight years old.

"None of them are from my school. You get to meet different people, it's good."

"I'd put most of it down to Luke Littler," Raymond said, "that's why there's a lot of academies popping up around trying to help young people."

The young shop owner even got to meet his hero, playing alongside him at the Cheshire Open and he was delighted Littler had heard of his business venture.