Capital stores strung out as musicians turn to the internet

MUSIC shops in Edinburgh today warned they are being forced out of business by online shopping.

It comes after one well-known store went into administration and another moved from its city-centre location.

With several already closed in recent years, it leaves only a handful of shops selling instruments in the centre of the Capital.

Sound Control on the Grassmarket became the latest victim when it announced it was going into administration, while Live Music on Leven Street has shut pending a relocation, although it is unclear when it will reopen.

Other music shop owners across the city said internet trading had hit the industry hard, while increased parking restrictions had harmed passing trade. Stuart Hepburn, director of Varsity Music on Nicolson Street, said his other business interests were supporting the shop.

He said: "What happens is people go into these music shops, try out the instruments, then buy the same one online cheaper.

"It's all down to the internet. It's not like fewer people are interested in playing music or are buying fewer instruments.

"It's terrible what happened to Sound Control, there was no question they were good at what they did, but the internet has double-crossed everyone and shops have just disappeared."

Mr Hepburn, whose shop specialises in pianos, said the first signs of this happening in the city was when Simpsons music shop at the West End closed a couple of years ago.

"When Simpsons went they blamed the traffic wardens, and that situation is hurting everyone as well because you just can't drive in town anymore," he said.

It is understood accessories like strings, electrical appliances and stands are now more commonly bought online, making musicians less likely to visit a music store. Sheet music is still hard to download from the internet due to copyright laws, and so has not accounted for a large reduction in trade.

Live Music, another independent store which closed last month, is hoping to move into new premises outside the city centre.

A spokesman for Scayles Music, which owns the store, said: "The main reason for leaving the Leven Street location was because of a lack of passing trade.

"Everyone has been affected by the internet and as an enthusiast it's a shame to see music shops disappearing from the city centre. It's fine to buy appliances online but when it comes to buying instruments unless you can feel them as you play you don't know what you're getting."

City musician Norval Barclay, 36, from Slateford, said: "It's terrible to see these shops go to the wall over the years.

"There are still places outside the city centre like Guitar Guitar in Corstorphine, which is good, but the days of popping into town for strings or guitars seem to be on the way out."

A Guitar Guitar spokesman added: "We find being out of the city centre a positive things because we have parking. Edinburgh has lost three or four big music traders in the last five years, it certainly has made a difference."

A statement from Sound Control said it had been "impacted by increased competition from the internet". It is understood administrators will keep the shop open for now in the hope of finding a new buyer and selling off stock.

MUSIC SHOPS STILL PLAYING A TUNE

• Scayles St Patrick Square

• Varsity Music Nicolson St

• Mev Taylor's Brougham Place

• Omni Music (sheet music specialists), York Place

• Rae Macintosh (sheet music and tuition specialists), Queensferry Street

• Stringers (classical music), York Place