Music shop closure brings fear for industry's future
A drum salesman said he is "heartbroken and devastated" by the closure of a city music shop.
Professional Music Technology (PMT) went into administration in June. It first opened it's Norfolk store in Anglia Square, Norwich, in 2008, before moving to Botolph Street in 2012.
Administrators Interpath said rising costs, dwindling margins, and the cost of living had led to "challenges too difficult to overcome" in keeping it open.
Dan Moss, who worked as the store's percussion expert, said that the music store industry was "definitely and gradually dying."
Mr Moss first heard the news on the day the store went into administration.
"It was pretty heavy, it completely came out of the blue. We had no idea it was going to happen," he said.
He added that the closure created a "void" for musicians in the county.
"Youngsters would come in and get inspired. The whole community could come in and see instruments in person," he said.
"It's going to have a massive impact on Norfolk."
Norwich-based sound engineer and tour manager, Dylan Barber, said music stores like PMT were "paramount" in helping him get into the music industry.
The 24-year-old bought his first guitar from the store and said he was worried about the impact music shop closures will have on the music industry.
"There's nothing quite like the physical element of picking up an instrument and feeling connected to it," he said.
"The fact that there's less of that available presents as a bit of a stark warning that we need to do something if we want to keep the industry flowing."
Interpath said: "Our immediate priority is to provide support to those employees who have been made redundant."
Mark Hedges of Cookes Band Instruments in St Benedicts St said while his own business was thriving, he was "sorry" to see PMT close.
"They're all passionate people who love music and want to pass on their knowledge," he said.
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Musical instrument shop will be 'sorely missed'
'Music is too often neglected by policymakers'
Boy, 11, becomes piano prodigy by watching YouTube
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Jets owner Woody Johnson buys 43% stake in English soccer club Crystal Palace
LONDON — New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is finally set to get his hands on an English soccer team. Premier League side Crystal Palace announced on Monday that Johnson has signed 'a legally binding contract' to buy the shares of fellow American John Textor, who has a 43% stake in the London club. Reports have placed the price between $220 million and $260 million. 'Whilst the completion is pending approval from the Premier League and Women's Super League, we do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club,' Palace said in a statement . 'We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future.' Johnson submitted a bid to buy Chelsea in 2022 but was unsuccessful. The sale of Textor's shares boosts Palace's hopes of playing in the Europa League next season, having qualified thanks to its FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last month. Textor is also a shareholder in French side Lyon, which is set to enter the same competition, and under UEFA multi-club ownership rules, it looked as if Palace could miss out. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jets owner Woody Johnson buys 43% stake in English soccer club Crystal Palace
LONDON (AP) — New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is finally set to get his hands on an English soccer team. Premier League side Crystal Palace announced on Monday that Johnson has signed 'a legally binding contract' to buy the shares of fellow American John Textor, who has a 43% stake in the London club. Reports have placed the price between $220 million and $260 million. 'Whilst the completion is pending approval from the Premier League and Women's Super League, we do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club,' Palace said in a statement. 'We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future.' Johnson submitted a bid to buy Chelsea in 2022 but was unsuccessful. The sale of Textor's shares boosts Palace's hopes of playing in the Europa League next season, having qualified thanks to its FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last month. Textor is also a shareholder in French side Lyon, which is set to enter the same competition, and under UEFA multi-club ownership rules, it looked as if Palace could miss out. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Jets owner Woody Johnson buys 43% stake in English soccer club Crystal Palace
LONDON (AP) — New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is finally set to get his hands on an English soccer team. Premier League side Crystal Palace announced on Monday that Johnson has signed 'a legally binding contract' to buy the shares of fellow American John Textor, who has a 43% stake in the London club. Reports have placed the price between $220 million and $260 million. 'Whilst the completion is pending approval from the Premier League and Women's Super League, we do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club,' Palace said in a statement. 'We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future.' Johnson submitted a bid to buy Chelsea in 2022 but was unsuccessful. The sale of Textor's shares boosts Palace's hopes of playing in the Europa League next season, having qualified thanks to its FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last month. Textor is also a shareholder in French side Lyon, which is set to enter the same competition, and under UEFA multi-club ownership rules, it looked as if Palace could miss out. ___ AP soccer:
