‘It’s the gift of music and passing it on’ – We meet a musical couple who sell instruments and offer lessons at their shop in Pelsall
By Heather Large
Copyright expressandstar
They run The Walsall Music Den in Pelsall, which not only sells, repairs and services everything from guitars to saxophones but also provides tuition for students ranging in age from six to 90.
Around two years ago, the shop relocated to the village from Leamore where it had been based for around 17 years.
“I started on work experience almost 20 years ago and I never left – it became my full-time job,” says Jamie who worked at the shop through school and university.
He first met Abi, a Birmingham Conservatoire Alumni, when she visited the shop as a customer.
“My sister was getting married and my mum used to pop in for sheet music. The old shop was one of the biggest stockists of sheet music,” says Abi.
The couple, who are now married, took over the reins of the business in 2018 and since then it has gone from strength to strength. They pride themselves on offering customers a personal service in a relaxed and friendly environment.
“We try to cater for everyone. It’s not just about coming in and playing, it’s about the relationships we build with people. We get a lot of pensioners coming in and we may be the only people they see all day,” says Jamie.