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Jobs go as music retailer enters administration
11:47am Thursday 1st May 2008
Comments (20)
THE country's largest musical instrument retailer, Sound Control, has suddenly closed the doors to its Southampton store after the company went into administration.
Staff were notified yesterday the large city centre shop was one of several of the firm's 26 national outlets being shut with immediate effect.
The 15 members of staff - all but one full time - are among 163 workers who have been made redundant.
Sound Control, which has an annual turnover of £50m and 338 employees nationwide, was formed when the first store opened as a local hire company in Dunfermline in Scotland, in October 1980.
Selling musical instruments and recording equipment, the business expanded to open stores across the country, including those under brand names Media Tools, Turnkey and Soho Sound House.
In 2000 the business was expanded to include online retail sales, which has also now closed as a result of the financial problems.
The Southampton branch, on the large former Safeway supermarket site opposite Debenhams, opened three years ago.
One worker at the shop told the Daily Echo the staff were left stunned at the sudden closure.
"We've not really been told anything, so it's just all been a bit of a shock," he said.
"We were just told to leave the premises immediately because the company has gone into administration.
"We've all got mortgages and rents to pay, but they've said none of us will be eligible for redundancy pay."
Sound Control yesterday applied for administration through Deloitte, citing increased competition from online sellers.
Trading is to continue at 16 stores while a buyer is sought, but with the closest outlets being in London and Bristol there is no chance of the Southampton staff being relocated.
The news of Sound Control's difficulties comes at an increasingly worrying time for all high street retailers.
Sales fell sharply in April compared with the same month last year, according to findings announced by the Confederation of British Industry.
More than half - 52 per cent - of all retailers questioned in the latest Distributive Trades survey said sales volumes were lower than 12 months earlier, and just 25 per cent said they were higher.
While there may be mitigating factors, including the early Easter and comparatively poor weather this April, the survey is further evidence of shoppers tightening their belts amidst increasing talk of a wider economic downturn.
Your Say YourDaily Echo
One Man Band, Southampton says...
12:13pm Thu 1 May 08
Noi-Face-Noi, Winchester says...
12:17pm Thu 1 May 08
Whatever replaces it will last the run of the mill 2 years before closing. Possibly another £1 shop!!
sainth, Southampton says...
12:22pm Thu 1 May 08
Christoff, says...
3:03pm Thu 1 May 08
It's a shame, not many large music shops around
neil peart, soton says...
3:19pm Thu 1 May 08
Noi-Face-Noi, Winchester says...
3:50pm Thu 1 May 08
If current bands used terminology like "axe" then the state of modern music wouldn't be soo bad.
Mackenzie, 2k8 says...
4:12pm Thu 1 May 08
Essruu, Balding in my taxi says...
4:16pm Thu 1 May 08
Patron, Soton says...
4:40pm Thu 1 May 08
AMS, southampton says...
5:54pm Thu 1 May 08
Bus Driver, Southampton says...
7:50pm Thu 1 May 08
Then go out of business themselves.
JUSTICE.
Christoff, says...
8:09pm Thu 1 May 08
neil peart wrote:rock on dude, rock on.
"strings for my axe"!!!! jesus mate do you live in the 80's or do you just not know what your talking about?????
Geddy Lee, says...
8:10pm Thu 1 May 08
neil peart wrote:Of course he knows what he's talking about man.
"strings for my axe"!!!! jesus mate do you live in the 80's or do you just not know what your talking about?????
Benny Fitt, Thornhill says...
8:19pm Thu 1 May 08
neil peart wrote:I must confess, it does not strike a chord with me!
"strings for my axe"!!!! jesus mate do you live in the 80's or do you just not know what your talking about?????
Michael Paine, Nosey Neighbour says...
8:26pm Thu 1 May 08
Anon, Southampton says...
11:42am Fri 2 May 08
Noi-Face-Noi, Winchester says...
11:50am Fri 2 May 08
Benny Fitt wrote:Don't 'fret' over it dear boy!! I think you've been 'strung' along by the shear 'scale' of things!!
neil peart wrote: "strings for my axe"!!!! jesus mate do you live in the 80's or do you just not know what your talking about?????I must confess, it does not strike a chord with me!
Still a d@mn shame though.
Torvil & Dean, Skating on thin ice says...
11:25pm Fri 2 May 08
alex, Saffamton says...
9:43am Sat 3 May 08
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Condor Man, Southampton says...
12:01pm Thu 1 May 08