Sound business Music shop looking to the future after 120 years in city
AN independent music shop in Stokes Croft is looking to the future after more than 120 years in business. Family-run Mickleburgh Musical Instruments has survived the Covid-19 pandemic, the growing online shopping market and even wartime bombing, and is now looking to “secure the future of the business” with plans to replace its current building with a new one incorporating 126 student rooms. This was a scaling-back of the original 175 applied for following concerns about the new building’s size. The new proposal is yet to be decided by the council.
Director Sophie Garrett, 36 – a member of the Mickleburgh family – told the Post: “It is essential that we diversify, and plan to do so with music practice rooms, recording studios and a live events space where we can host gigs, workshops and build a community of musicians, educators and anyone wanting to be involved in playing or listening to live music.
“This comes alongside a brand new, extensive music shop where people will still be able to come and buy their instruments and music accessories with our traditional service that is customer-focused. Our current building is in disrepair and making it fit for purpose is not financially viable.
“We will also continue to have piano workshops focussing on the repair, restoration and servicing of acoustic pianos, but these will be located elsewhere in the city to allow us to use the new building in Stokes Croft for all the above.”
Sophie says she cannot pinpoint exactly when she started working at the shop in Stokes Croft, as she would help out during various school and university holidays in different parts of the business. However, nearly 14 years ago, she says, she returned to Bristol and endeavoured to work in the shop on a full-time basis.
Sophie’s great great grandfather moved from London to Bristol and set up a piano servicing business in the 1870s. His son, Alfred Mickleburgh, then opened up the piano retail premises on Stokes Croft in 1903 and, since then, it has built up a rather eclectic history full of the weird and wonderful – from building
pianos to importing African instruments, being a TV set for Rosie and Jim, and Casualty in the 90s, and hiring, selling and tuning pianos for famous pianists and musicians.
Sophie says: “Many people remember the Mickleburgh Museum where my great uncle collected rare instruments such as the five pedal grand piano. The joy of working here is that music attracts people from all walks of life, so most days are slightly weird and wonderful.”
Unlike many businesses in Bristol and the country as a whole, Sophie says that the Covid-19 pandemic was “actually very good” for business, as rates were reduced and many people spent their disposable
income on their hobbies. However, she says the cost of living crisis has been affecting business “quite dramatically”, adding: “It’s so important to adapt.”
When it comes to how shopping habits have changed for Sophie’s customers – both since the pandemic and just in general – Sophie says that because of the need to test out musical instruments in person, 90% of business is still done through the bricks and mortar site, despite the rise in online shopping across the UK. “In general, musical instruments need to be tried to ensure the right match for the player,” she says.
“Two of the same instrument models can differ in their feel and sound so we are lucky in the respect that people still do want to come to a bricks and mortar shop to do that. Instruments also need to be set up to make sure they are playing their best, which is a service you can’t always be sure an internet music retailer provides.
“However, the internet obviously provides a place where people can search for the cheapest possible price – something we are made aware of on a daily basis. This has meant our margins are squeezed as we aim to be competitively priced whilst also continuing to provide people with a place to try instruments, get good advice and provide a good service.
“Customers are able to buy from our website, but 90% of business is still done through the bricks and mortar shop.
“Bristol has a very diverse and active music scene with loads going on – from amateur music groups, education establishments, to being able to see top professional musicians playing at various larger venues. We have been in Stokes Croft for over 120 years, and remained even after the area was extensively bombed in the War.
“Stokes Croft is evolving and it’s exciting to see it’s attracting more people and businesses and feels right to continue the Mickleburgh legacy here.”
❝ Stokes Croft is evolving and it’s exciting to see it’s attracting more people and businesses
Sophie Garrett