Expanding business tuning up for move to shopping centre

An independent guitar shop is moving into Beverley’s Flemingate Centre, as its business continues to grow.

Guitar Galleries, first established in Scarborough in 2010, sells guitars, amplifiers and accessories from brands including Fender, Taylor, CF Martin, PJD, Rickenbacker, Duesenberg, Eastman, Orange and Boss.

The business supports musicians in store, as well as selling globally online, and is moving into a two-storey, 3,100 sq ft unit at Flemingate currently occupied by fashion store VERB.

Guitar Galleries Managing Director Matt Dunn said: “This is a really exciting time for the business. We are looking to expand and want to offer more brands.

“To do that, we need a contemporary unit and space to present guitars properly, so people can walk in and play everything they aspire to own.

“We need somewhere that is not only impressive to look at but also functions how we want it to. There is so much more we need to display and, in the new unit, we can present and stock the guitars in the right climate, humidity and environment.

“Over the last three years, Beverley has become considerably busier, especially Flemingate, which offers really good dining experiences and shops. There’s a good mix of independent businesses and high street brands, and it’s easily accessible with great parking.”

VERB owner Lee Wardell has also been managing a new Brook Taverner menswear store, which opened recently in nearby Toll Gavel.

Wardell said: “Brook Taverner’s launch has been a big success and I feel I really need to focus on developing that business.

“I was aware there was another retailer keen on moving to Flemingate, so it makes sense to focus my energies on Brook Taverner and free up a unit for Guitar Galleries to be able to expand.

“I’ve really enjoyed building up the VERB business and being part of the Flemingate family over the past two years. I’m pleased another local business is joining the centre in our place.”

Graham Tait, Flemingate Centre Manager, said: “We’re delighted Guitar Galleries has chosen to relocate to Flemingate in order to expand and offer a growing product range to customers. It’s good news that Matt is able to build his business while moving just a stone’s throw from his current store.

“The move keeps a distinctive, high-quality retailer in Beverley and maintains the healthy mix at Flemingate of national high street brands and local independent retailers.

“We’re really looking forward to Guitar Galleries opening and adding another exciting element to Flemingate’s appeal.”

Guitar Galleries will close its Wednesday Market shop on August 30 before the new Flemingate store opens to the public the next day. VERB will close at the end of June, to allow time for the unit to be refitted for Guitar Galleries.

Flemingate is owned and developed by regeneration company Wykeland Group. It includes prominent retail and leisure brands and local independents, as well as being home to the East Riding College campus, an 80-bed Premier Inn hotel and a six-screen digital cinema, Parkway.

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