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Home > About Us > Milton Keynes Store

Milton Keynes Store, August 2005

Photograph taken August 2005, 21 Silbury Arcade, thecentre:mk, Central Milton Keynes. Used with kind permission from David Hemmings, www.photo-courses.com

Chappell of Bond Street: The Milton Keynes Store

By 1980, London's famous Chappell of Bond Street store had become part of Milton Keynes-based piano manufacturer (and Yamaha partner) Kemble and Co Ltd. At that time, Yamaha was experiencing unprecedented demand for its range of home organs and the beginnings of what would become the PSR/PSS keyboard ranges.

Looking to bring the world of organs and keyboards to a wider audience - and establish a musical foothold in the ever-expanding new city, Chappell of Bond Street agreed a 25 year lease on a block of retail units opposite Marks and Spencer (Marks and Spencer later relocated). With shop fitting complete, Chappell of Bond Street's new store opened in the summer of 1980.

Initially managed by Phil Sutcliffe and later by Phil Job (now of St Giles Music in Northampton), Chappell of Bond Street Milton Keynes offered a fantastic selection of sheet music, acoustic pianos, electronic home organs and all manner of guitars, violins, clarinets and other musical instruments.

By the early 2000s, Chappells Milton Keynes had gained a loyal customer base and a reputation for excellent customer service and product knowledge, as well as being the day-to-day home of local big band legend James Goff and singer/songwriter Paul Bruce. The store, now managed by David Meek, was awarded several times for its service and staff.

In 2005, the original property lease expired. Despite being granted a short term extension, the costs of leasing in 2005 were sadly beyond the reach of a retail musical instrument store and the store closed to the public on Sunday 11th September 2005, with the majority of staff leaving the Yamaha Kemble group. Ironically, the levels of business during the closing down period were at their highest in the history of the store.

To date, we understand that all Chappell MK staff have since found employment (several now work for Yamaha Europe in Tilbrook, Milton Keynes), have set up their own businesses or are currently in (or completing) higher education courses.

Chappell of Bond Street wishes to thank all of its Milton Keynes-store staff and its customers for their support over the 25 amazing years.