Darts fanatics have been flocking to Congleton following the opening of a new shop.

171 Darts is up and running on Mill Street, selling darts, boards and everything in between.

Owner Shaun Brammeld had been planning to open a store for a while, inspired by the sport's recent surge in popularity.

The 54-year-old said: "It's been in the pipeline for years but with being a plasterer I just never got round to it.

"With how darts is growing I just had to do it. I wish I'd done it 12 months earlier!

"Darts is at its peak now and that's largely thanks to Luke Littler."

He added: "I never thought darts would blow up in the way it has, not for youngsters at least.

"It's always been big to a certain level but Littler has got kids off their Xboxes and actually playing darts."

171 Darts Shop is located at 5 Mill Street (Credit: Nub News)

The shop is located at 5 Mill Street, opposite the Bulls Head pub.

"It's the perfect location," Shaun added.

With no previous experience in retail, it's been a jump in the deep end for Shaun, who welcomed his first customers on Friday (May 9).

He said: "It's been chaotic. We had to lock the doors last Friday it was just so busy!

"I knew people from Macclesfield and Stoke would come down.

"But everyone comes at once. You can be stood here for two hours on your own and then bang!"

The shop welcomed its first customers earlier this month (Credit: Nub News)

The excitement continues this Friday (May 16) when the shop welcomes professional player, Bradley Brooks.

The 25-year-old is a former winner of the PDC World Youth Championship – the trophy that helped launch the careers of stars such as Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael Smith.

Shaun added: "Hopefully there will be a few more to follow!

"We've got one or two pros from the Stoke area who we are hoping to get down for a chat and a throw.

"We're also hoping to start an academy for kids.

"My brother helps out at one in Warrington and they recently had 152 kids turn up. That's how big darts is now.

"If we could get 20-plus showing up I'd be happy with that."

Inside the store (Credit: Nub News)

171 Darts is open Thursday through Sunday.