Chappell of Bond Street

Serving Musicians for over 200 years! Tel: 0207 432 4400

Chappell of Bond Street

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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.

Why order from Chappell's?

"Just a note to say how amazed I was by the speed with which my recent order arrived - wonderful service."
VC, Cumbria

"Received music book today; thank you for an excellent service - will recommend your store!"
LB, Aberdeenshire

"May I compliment you on your customer service which is excellent!"
FJ, Caithness

"Once again a big thank you for the safe and speedy delivery of my order; your service has been continually second to none."
CW, Northants

"I would just like to say thank you very much for such prompt and efficient service. My order was received less than 24 hours after placing it."
KB, Essex

"I was delighted to recieve my music so quickly and efficiently. It was also very reasonably priced with no postage. Thank you for an excellent customer service."
GL, Tyne And Wear

"Just to say thank you for getting the above order of sheet music to us so efficiently. It arrived promptly this morning; we are grateful for your help."
MW, Surrey

"Not an enquiry, just a WOW and thank you. I placed an order quite late yesterday afternoon and this morning, my order has arrvied. Thank you so much for a first class service in every way!"
LC, Warwickshire

"Thank you for this order, which arrived today. Excellent service! I only ordered the books yesterday afternoon."
AL, South Staffs

"Many thanks to all for the exceptionally rapid despatch and delivery of my new recorder music In no way did I expect to receive it before Christmas, having only ordered it a couple of days ago from the Isle of Man. I shall definitely be using your website again!"
RK, Isle of Man

"Thank you for fantastic service, ordered music Wed pm - received music Thursday am, thank you."
BC, Cambridgeshire

"Many thanks for your excellent service!"
JP, Manchester

"Just to write a BIG thank you for being so helpful and efficient. From a recipient of a large jazz book which arrived safely at my house within hours of ordering this morning."
DA, Norfolk

"I think I love you! Just downloaded the sheet music - you have made some people very happy!"
JT, Berwickshire

"Thank you for such prompt service with my order. I was so pleased to get these before the weekend."
JR, Cardiff

"Item arrived today, I would just like to thank you for excellent service, in particular fast delivery and a good price for the item."
TF, Cumbria

"I live in Jersey and yesterday placed an urgent order. It arrived this morning! FANTASTIC service."
LH, Jersey

"Fantastic service - thank you so much for sending the music so quickly."
CH, North Yorkshire

"Got my MIDI connector next day, great service and it is a fab product!"
SA, Tyne and Wear

"Thank you for the message - I've always been 100% satisfied with your brilliant service; if only all music shops were as organised and professional!"
JC, Berkshire

"Hi, I just wanted to say thanks for the stellar customer service. I don't order a lot of music but I'll definitely use you in the future."
JS, Hampshire

"Thank you for your very prompt next day delivery."
TT, Dorset

"Just a quick note to say thank you; I received my order this morning - Excellent service!"
RT, East Yorkshire

"This site is so easy to use. Brilliant. Thank you for free postage, I'll certainly use you again."
JT, East Lothian

"I am writing to thank you for the speedy delivery of my order. Ordered at lunchtime on Thursday - received the following morning. Absolutely brilliant."
NK, Swindon

"Thank you for the prompt delivery, ordered yesterday; received today. Thank you"
WR, County Down

"I just wanted to say thank you for the speedy delivery of my music book which arrived here in Cambridge this morning. Excellent service, thank you"
JM, Cambridge

"Thank you so much! Very impressed at the speed of your service!"
CS, Surrey

"Thanks team! That was quick and very much appreciated as I have to learn the thing ASAP."
RA, Middlesex

"I would like to congratulate you on an excellent service, I was amazed when it came so soon. Thank you."
AR, Warwickshire

"Just to say parcel arrived this morning. Very good service, thank you very much."
SM, Ceredigion

"Just ot let you know how pleased I am with your excellent online music ordering service. I received my music in barely a day and a half and there was no postage charge and no excessive packaging. Many thanks."
AC, Kent

"I don't normally believe testimonials but I have to admit, your service was every bit as good those writing them had claimed - and free delivery too! Thank you so much."
SH, Hertfordshire

"THANK YOU so much for the music which arrived safely this morning! That is really incredible service (considering I only placed my order yesterday afternoon!) and I am very impressed indeed. Thank you so much for such quality of service."
FG, Devon

"I wish to say how pleased and grateful I am at the speed with which my order was delivered. I ordered a book of music with a CD which I needed rather urgently and within 2 days it was delivered. Compared with other companies yours cannot be beaten for reliability and the quality of your products (eg because you take the trouble to put it in reinforced enveloped there is no defaced music)."
LS, Surrey

"Many, many thanks for your professional service. Getting lost among the aisles at your store, making the difficult decision of which ones to get, was one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon in London. Now I know your web-based service is as exciting. Will definitely recommend you to my musical friends."
KO, Berkshire

"I used to live in London and loved coming into your old Bond Street store many years ago. Thank heavens for the internet and your virtual expertise being so wonderfully on hand!!!"
GN, Yorkshire

"Thank you for such personal attention and efficient service! The music arrived this morning!!"
JB, Dunbartonshire

"I am most impressed by your efficiency. I received the music this morning whilst knee-deep in snow and have been playing it ever since. Many thanks."
JP, Surrey

"I must say that I am very impressed with your service; my orders are always despatched immediately and I am amazed how quickly they are delivered."
JB, Kent

"Many thanks, the books arrived today; thanks again for a lightening fast service."
FT, Gwent

"Just wanted to let you know that my order arrived at its destination the day after I ordered it making my young Goddaughter very happy."
LN, Nottinghamshire

"I just wanted to say thank you for the outstanding level of customer service we received; we have always been impressed by your prompt internet service but the speed and efficiency of your personalised response was fantastic. Thank you."
JPT, Northamptonshire

"I just wanted to thank you for my scores which arrived first thing this morning. As I only placed the order yesterday, I am absolutely blown away by the speed of your service."
JC, London

"Thank you for the fulfillment of the order. It's been a pleasure to do business with a company who understands your needs and deals competantly and rapidly with one's order, something which is sadly lacking in the majority of retail business today."
TF, County Down

"I just wanted to pass back my thanks for a friendly and competant conversation with one of your staff earlier. It's clear evidence of how Chappell's have kept hold of such an excellent reputation over the years!"
GT, Guildford

"Just a note to say how amazed I was by the speed with which my recent order arrived - wonderful service."
VC, Cumbria