‘SAVE OUR GUITAR SHOPS’ CAMPAIGN URGES MUSICIANS TO SUPPORT INDIES
W ith iconic U.K. music stores like GAK in Brighton and PMT in Portsmouth shutting its doors, a new grassroots campaign is rallying guitarists to save the future of independent music retail. Launched at the end of June by Brighton-based guitar web- site Guitar Mammoth, the Save Our Guitar Shops campaign is encouraging players to take a simple but impactful pledge: support local, independent music shops and “think twice before clicking add to cart.” The campaign was founded by Guitar Mammoth’s founder Drew Haselhurst, who said the initiative was sparked by the emotional blow of losing GAK — a beloved destination for Brighton’s music community. “My hometown in Brighton had a huge destination shop called GAK, and in a world where we’re moving more towards chain retail outlets, it felt like a real important destination,” Haselhurst said. “I never thought that a shop
undercut by online giants. “There’s a worrying trend of people buy- ing online,” Haselhurst said. “I get it — it’s convenient. But when it comes to guitars, you really have to play the instrument to know if it’s right for you. Plus, building a relationship with your local shop creates trust you just don’t get from a website.” So far, five Sussex-area shops have pledged support to the campaign, including Bonners Music, Badlands Guitars, Mudpie Music, Hobgoblin Music and North Laine Music in Brighton. “As musicians, we need to vote with our wallets and support the places that have supported us,” Haselhurst said. Haselhurst also acknowledged that online shopping isn’t inherently bad. “I always think there’s a way of buying online that’s more responsible,” he said. MI — Kimberly Kapela
Save Our Guitar Shops’ Drew Haselhurst outside of GAK Brighton.
that size could go under because it had a big online presence. Because I’d relied on it for so long, seeing it disappear was a real shock. When I saw that happen, I thought if a shop that big and successful could go under, then that’s a worrying sign for all guitar shops.” Save Our Guitar Shops aims to raise awareness about the challenges independent stores face, including razor-thin margins
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