Norwich music store closure brings fear for industry’s future

Maddy JenningsBBC Information, NorfolkGoogle MapsProfessional Music Know-how first opened in Norwich in 2008A drum salesman mentioned he’s “heartbroken and devastated” by the closure of a metropolis music store. Skilled Music Know-how (PMT) went into administration in June. It first opened it is Norfolk retailer in Anglia Sq., Norwich, in 2008, earlier than transferring to Botolph Road in 2012.Directors Interpath mentioned rising prices, dwindling margins, and the price of dwelling had led to “challenges too troublesome to beat” in holding it open.Dan Moss, who labored as the shop’s percussion knowledgeable, mentioned that the music retailer trade was “positively and step by step dying.”Mr Moss first heard the information on the day the shop went into administration. “It was fairly heavy, it fully got here out of the blue. We had no thought it was going to occur,” he mentioned. He added that the closure created a “void” for musicians within the county. “Kids would are available and get impressed. The entire group may are available and see devices in particular person,” he mentioned.”It will have a large influence on Norfolk.”Dan MossDan Moss labored as a drum salesperson at PMT earlier than the Norwich retailer’s closureNorwich-based sound engineer and tour supervisor, Dylan Barber, mentioned music shops like PMT had been “paramount” in serving to him get into the music trade. The 24-year-old purchased his first guitar from the shop and mentioned he was apprehensive in regards to the influence music store closures can have on the music trade.”There’s nothing fairly just like the bodily factor of choosing up an instrument and feeling linked to it,” he mentioned.”The truth that there’s much less of that accessible presents as a little bit of a stark warning that we have to do one thing if we need to maintain the trade flowing.”James WickhamDylan Barber credited retailers like PMT for serving to him to get into the music industryInterpath mentioned: “Our quick precedence is to offer help to these workers who’ve been made redundant.”Mark Hedges of Cookes Band Devices in St Benedicts St mentioned whereas his personal enterprise was thriving, he was “sorry” to see PMT shut. “They’re all passionate individuals who love music and need to cross on their data,” he mentioned.