The UK’s specialist musical instrument retail sector is facing one of its toughest periods in decades, with multiple long-established retailers shutting their doors.
Following the high-profile collapse of Professional Music Technology (PMT) earlier this year, the recent closure of Kenny’s — a well-known regional chain with roots stretching back over 40 years — marks another major blow to Britain’s guitar and gear ecosystem.
Industry insiders and analysts say the downturn is the result of a “perfect storm” of economic and structural pressures. Rising commercial rents, import-related cost inflation, and persistent online competition have eroded profit margins that were already slim before the pandemic. With consumer spending softening amid broader cost-of-living pressures, even established names are finding survival increasingly difficult.
“Kenny’s closure is symbolic of a wider problem,” said retail analyst Sarah Devine of Sound Market Insights. “Specialist stores depend on knowledgeable staff, hands-on experience, and loyal communities — but these are precisely the areas hardest hit by rising overheads and digital disruption.”
Online retailers, particularly large platforms with global supply chains, have steadily gained ground in the UK market. Consumers have become accustomed to low prices, rapid delivery, and expansive inventories that smaller high street shops struggle to match. For many independent stores, competing on price is impossible; their advantage lies in expertise, service, and local engagement — factors that, while valued, have not always been enough to sustain footfall.
Import costs have also risen sharply post-Brexit, affecting the availability and pricing of key products such as American-made guitars and amplifiers. Many retailers report difficulty in maintaining stock consistency or absorbing fluctuating shipping and customs fees. Combined with high energy costs and rent increases in urban centers, profit margins have narrowed to unsustainable levels.
The result is a shrinking network of specialist outlets that once served as cultural and educational hubs for musicians. With fewer places for players to try instruments, seek advice, or attend workshops, many fear the closures could have long-term implications for the UK’s grassroots music scene.
“Instrument shops aren’t just about selling gear — they’re part of the ecosystem that nurtures musicians,” said guitarist and educator Neil Warren. “When those spaces disappear, it weakens the fabric of the scene itself.”
As industry observers warn of further closures ahead, some call for government or industry-led initiatives to support high street music retailers — before the UK loses more of its once-vibrant musical heritage.
Photo by Stephen Niemeier.
