20/10/2005 – Reading rocks for musicians
Store opening: biggest selection of instruments in the south
READING is poised to become a Mecca for musicians.
The town’s famous ties with rock music and its convenient location has led to the largest music store in the South of England being created in Caversham Road.
Merseyside music store chain Dawsons, which claims to have the widest selection of instruments in the UK, will open its brand new Reading branch at the 14,000 square foot former Office World building on Saturday, November 12.
The move comes at a time when the Reading music scene is going through a purple patch, with bands Morning Runner, Pure Reason Revolution and The Race all achieving national recognition.
Dawsons chose Reading partly because of its legendary festival and managing director David Briggs promises it will be a Mecca for all musicians.
He said: “Reading will be home to our largest state-of-the-art megastore.
“In fact it will be the biggest musical instruments store anywhere in the South of England.
“We’re not just the biggest in terms of size but also in terms of range, choice of instruments and we give unrivalled value.
“Reading is a great music-making town with loads of up-and-coming bands and a fantastic buzz, and we are really looking forward to playing our part.
“The atmosphere in our stores is one that nurtures music-making and excites people to have a go – whether you are still in school, a professional musician or returning to music in your 40s.”
As well as an entire floor dedicated to rock ‘n’ roll, the superstore will include grand pianos, orchestral instruments and hi-tech equipment for mixing.
It will also feature three tuition rooms.
The company has taken over Modern Music, which had a store in the Broad Street Mall.
The store will close and seven employees from that shop have been retained for the new store.
Dawsons spokeswoman Joanna Hartley added: “Dawsons’ store Manchester is the most impressive music store in Europe and this one is going to be two-and-a-half times bigger and even better.
“There will be nowhere in the country like it.
“There is not a musician that hasn’t been catered for.
“Dawsons will want close ties with music venues in town and this will be very good for the local music scene.”
