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 onBBC Sounds,Facebook,InstagramandX.
Music shop closure brings fear for industry's future
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Closure of PMT Music Shop Raises Concerns Over Future of Local Music Industry"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The recent closure of Professional Music Technology (PMT), a music shop located in Norwich, has left many in the local music community feeling heartbroken and concerned about the future of the industry. PMT, which opened its Norfolk store in Anglia Square in 2008 and later moved to Botolph Street in 2012, went into administration in June due to a variety of challenges, including rising operational costs and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Dan Moss, a percussion expert who worked at the store, expressed his devastation at the news, stating that the closure represents a significant loss for musicians in the area. He emphasized the role of music shops in inspiring young musicians and fostering a sense of community, noting that the ability to physically try instruments before purchasing them is crucial for budding artists. Moss described the announcement of the store's closure as unexpected and heavy, indicating that the local music scene would feel a profound void without such a vital resource.
The impact of PMT's closure extends beyond just loss of a retail space, as it raises broader concerns about the music industry as a whole. Dylan Barber, a young sound engineer and tour manager, shared his worries about how the decline of music shops could hinder the music industry's growth and accessibility. He recalled purchasing his first guitar from PMT and highlighted the importance of physical interaction with instruments, which cannot be replicated online. Mark Hedges, from Cookes Band Instruments in St Benedicts St, expressed sympathy for PMT's closure, stating that while his own business is thriving, he recognizes the passion and dedication of the staff at PMT who contributed to the local music culture. As the administrators prioritize supporting the employees affected by the closure, the community is left to ponder the future of music retail and its vital role in nurturing the next generation of musicians.
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