• Rimmers Music Blog
On the 27th November 1978, Rimmers Music began a journey into musical instrument retailing. Over the last 40 years, we have gained an excellent reputation for being one of the best musical instrument retailers in the UK.
We have 8 musical instrument retail stores across the North West of England and also one in Edinburgh along with our website! All of our stores and our website grow daily with more impressive brands being added to our collection!
But where did it all begin? Take a trip down memory lane with us and see where we are now, from our first store to our evergrowing business.
Rimmers Music started with Frank Rimmers and Harry Cookson many years ago, with their store Frank Rimmer (Keyboards) Ltd, Frank and Harry hired Gary Tate. From here, Gary Tate became the owner and director of Rimmers Music, and since then he has opened up many more stores around the North West and Edinburgh, making our company as successful as it is today.
Over the years we have opened new stores, launched our website in 2006, acquired hundreds of brands and hired fantastic members of staff! Throughout our stores and our head office, we have over 60 members of staff.
Southport Manager, Andrew:
"I think I have worked for Rimmers for 22 years now! I started at Leyland back in the day, when Leyland store was on the ground level only! With guitars and amps down the right-hand side of the store, as is the Yamaha homeworld now, with mainly Organs on the other side. Most of our stores did have electronic organs from front to back in the days!
In them days we didn't,t have a warehouse and the back of Leyland store was the warehouse! The internet hadn't got going back then and we ran 2 stores from Leyland! We advertised in Magazines, Keyboard player, Organ player amongst others. We took many phone calls every day at Leyland, and I can remember when we had a new release, Tyros 1! we would have the phone calls, do the deals and part exchange, and we could have 8-10 -12 going out a day with then Citylink carriers, very busy. As well as running the shop.
I think after about 2-3 years I went to Southport (to cover) and never came back! Southport was one of the 1st stores of Rimmers Music, being the one that Frank Rimmer himself actually ran. Again Southport has evolved from an organ store itself now to a general music store, with all instruments. Some great customers and characters, over the years, are regretfully no longer with us, but as with new products evolving, new customers have come along as well."
Blackpool Manager, Barry:
"My work at Rimmers began around 2001 when I started as a sales assistant with Hedley (joint director) as my Store Manager. I then went to the Assistant Manager and then to the Store Manager as I am at present.
Organ sales were big business but soon to be taken over by cheaper and higher spec keyboards and digital pianos. Online shopping was in its infancy, Facebook only launched in 2004, twitter a couple of years later and Instagram in 2010 so our advertising was usually via Magazines and other publications until we were set up to use these other platforms.
We have taught people to play for as long as I can remember and over this period of time, it's very satisfying to see how much our Music Schools have grown in numbers over the years. It's rewarding to hear from people about how they never thought that they'd be able to play their dream instrument and find that dream coming true.
When I started working for the company we had 5 stores. This has now risen to 8 including our website. It's a very competitive marketplace and we have good staff who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic which I feel is now more important than ever.
The Rimmers Music Blackpool building originally started off as a Co-Op store. After this, it was made into an organ store called E.D. Brown Organs and in the 90s it then became Rimmers Music...the rest is history"
Wigan Manager, Kevin:
"I started working at Rimmers in November 2011 as a part-time member of staff. I worked Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. My colleagues were Andrew Caine (sales assistant) and James Cross (manager). I really enjoyed the job immediately and found selling musical instruments very enjoyable and also educational. I gradually progressed to a full-time member of staff within a year and my working week was split into two shops – Leyland and Wigan; I did 3 days in Leyland and 2 in Wigan. After a year or so I became full time at Leyland with Marius (sales assistant) and Hedley (manager). I quickly became Hedley’s “number 2” as he was always extremely busy with other Rimmers commitments. I enjoyed the fast paced nature of the store and enjoyed my two years working there. Since then I came back to Wigan as a full-time member of staff with Martin as my manager. Since then and up to now I have earned myself title as General Manager and feel I am doing well within the roll and all that goes with it. I thoroughly enjoy my time working here and long may it continue!"
Our Store Managers!
Blackpool (Barry), Bolton (James), Bury (Jacob), Edinburgh (Hannah), Leyland (Martin), Southport (Andrew), Wigan (Kevin), Liverpool (Lee).
Some of our lovely staff members: Lee, Vanessa & Joe (Liverpool), Nasar, James & Callum (Bolton), Pete, Richard & Hannah (Edinburgh) Sean, Andrew & Phil (Southport).
Across all of our stores, we have established Music Schools with hundreds of students from age 5-95! We teach piano, keyboard, guitar, drums, vocal, saxophone, clarinet, flute and violin!
Here is some information on some of our fantastic music school teachers:
James teaches at the Southport store and has played shows all over the UK and Europe, gigged and recorded with a host of talented musicians in the metal, rock, punk and acoustic genres, taught hundreds of students of all abilities and ages, and counts himself fortunate to have made a living from music for more than fifteen years now. He has a first class BA (Hons) degree from the Academy of Music and Sound (AMS) and has been teaching at Rimmers Music for nearly a decade.
I loved music from a young age, my parents say I was singing along to grease before I could speak! As I grew up my love for music grew and I started to play keyboards, guitar, bass and drum kit. I studied rock and pop music in Liverpool and just as my course was over, Rimmers Music advertised for a teacher. That was 19 years ago! During my time here I have continued to develop my skills as both musician and teacher. I have played in numerous function bands and original bands and still continue to do so.
Darren
Since finishing his studies in music at college and university, Owen has been involved with a varied selection of musical projects such as brass bands and orchestras, Irish folk, mainstream pop, funk, rock/indie and metal bands. This has included everything from recording sessions for major labels with Grammy award-winning producers, touring internationally as a session drummer with bands and singer-songwriters, to working on BBC radio shows and composing and developing original Musical theatre shows with Bolton Octagon Theatre. These things allow Owen to bring real music industry
Let's take a look at some of the fantastic events we have had over the years!
We advertised in many newspapers across the North West, we held store events with well known talented musicians and we even held events in The Blackpool Tower!
Here are some more recent events that we have had! As you can see, our advertising has completely changed! We still use paper advertising for Christmas and promotion for our Sale's!
Here are some pictures of some events we have held or attended over the years!
Southampton and London Boat Show
Alvarez Demo Day
Alderley Edge Festival - Kawai Piano Sale
Alvarez & Rotosound Restring Day
As you can see we have been extra busy with events over the years, some of our fantastic suppliers have helped us to put on some amazing days! We could be here forever telling you of all the events!
Competition Time
We love hosting competitions, treating our customers to new products we have here! Take a look at our wall of winners! We have given away Kawai pianos, Yamaha Digital Pianos, Casio Keyboards, Mackie Speakers, Mahalo Ukuleles and many more!
Over the last 40 years, Rimmers Music has gone from strength to strength, acheiving fantstic results and hitting huge milestones! The achievements of Rimmers Music are the results of combined efforts of every individual!
From the first Store in Southport, to now, we are still going strong!
Thank you to all of our customers for your continued support over the years, heres to many more years!
