Great news! One of the UK’s oldest musical instrument retailers has been bought out of administration, securing all 75 jobs.

Dawsons Music, which has an outlet in Chester, has been bought by Manchester music entrepreneur Andrew M Oliver and wife Karen Oliver.

The deal will save six stores and dozens of jobs across England and Northern Ireland.

Stores in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Reading, Belfast and Pepper Street, Chester, have been closed since lockdown due to coronavirus restrictions.

But Dawsons has continued to trade strongly online.

Joint administrators of Dawsons Music, Neil Gostelow and Rick Harrison from KPMG’s Restructuring practice, confirm they have sold the business and its assets to the new owners.

The business will continue to trade via a new company, Dawsons Music & Sound Ltd, owned and operated by Andrew and Karen’s existing company Arranged Musical Options Ltd.

Established in 1898 in Warrington, Dawsons is one of the oldest and largest retailers of musical instruments and equipment in the UK.

The company sells a diverse range of musical products, including acoustic, bass and electric guitars; amps and effects; pianos and keyboards; drums and percussion; PA & DJ equipment; orchestra instruments; sheet music books and the latest in music technology.

Andrew said: “I’m excited to be taking on such a well-established brand with a strong heritage and huge potential. It would have been a huge loss for a business that is so well known and loved to close its doors for good. My wife and I are relishing the opportunity to lead such a strong team at Dawsons. Both businesses completely complement each other.”

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After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music on tuba, Andrew established Arranged Musical Options Ltd in 1999. Karen graduated from the RNCM in 1995 and then worked as a professional pianist and teacher.

Karen also obtained a Masters in Music of Psychology in 2001. In 2000 Andrew purchased Alan Gregory Music & Musical Instruments, established in 1976 in Fallowfield, which is now in Didsbury. The business specialises in classical and acoustic musical instruments including brass, strings, woodwind and percussion.

Dawsons also has an education division supplying instruments and technology to educational establishments in the UK and internationally. Andrew and Karen have many plans for development of the department with the current team across the UK music education sector.

Paul Tyrer and Steven Percy, partners in the corporate and real estate teams at Cheshire based SAS Daniels Solicitors, advised Mr Oliver on the deal.

Paul said: “I am delighted that we were able to rescue this historic brand and preserve so many jobs.”

Rick Harrison, partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said: “Since the outset of our appointment, we have been struck by the affection that so many people hold for this iconic retailer. We are therefore delighted to have been able to conclude this sale, which not only ensures the Dawsons business will continue, but also safeguards employment for 75 members of staff. We wish the new team every success for the future.”

They were advised by Hayley Phelps and Jonathan Whitbread from law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys.

For more information, follow Dawsons: www.dawsons.co.uk/blog