Member Article

Newcastle Drum Centre set to reopen

Tyneside music shop the Newcastle Drum Centre is set to reopen after some of the business’s assets were bought by a fellow North East retailer.

The store, on Akenside Hill in the city centre, had witnessed a decline in revenues and profits over the past few years, leading to the owners of the business placing it in liquidation in late September.

But now, Andy Anderson, owner of the Washington-based Drum Shop UK, has picked up the rights to the Newcastle Drum Centre’s website as part of his firm’s ongoing development of its online sales channels.

He has also reached agreement with the Newcastle Drum Centre’s landlord, which he plans to reopen the store before the end of October.

Two new members of staff have been taken on to help run the Newcastle store when it reopens, and further jobs are expected to be created as operations develop.

RMT Accountants & Business Advisors’ insolvency team was appointed to manage the liquidation of the Newcastle Drum Centre, and has been working closely with Andy to help ensure musicians continue to have a base in the city.

Established in 1993, The Drum Shop UK offers offers everything from basic beginner drum kits to the highest quality exclusive percussion products, and also supports live productions ranging from pantomimes to the European MTV Awards.

The business recently purchased a warehouse unit from which its online activities are served, and has also opened another shop in Sheffield.

Andy Anderson, said: “We’d always had a good relationship with the Newcastle Drum Centre, and when I heard that it was going out of business, I was keen to see whether there might be opportunities arising for us.

“I’ve always wanted to open a shop in Newcastle, and taking on the Drum Centre’s premises has given us just that chance - our aim is to have things back up and running by the end of October, and we’ll be looking to add other services like tuition once we’re properly established.

“Working with RMT to get this deal over the line has been a really positive experience, and with the company growing both its retail and online presence, we’re excited about what the future holds.”

Head of recovery and insolvency at RMT Accountants & Business Advisors, Linda Farish, said: “Andy and his team have both the sector knowledge and business development plans to make the Newcastle Drum Centre a successful part of their operations, and we’re very pleased to have been able to pass it on to someone with the same passion for drumming as the previous owners.”

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