An iconic music shop in Cardiff city centre is set to close its doors after 65 years of service. Gamlins Music Centre, located on St Mary Street, will be shutting down its physical store on Saturday, August 31. Despite the closure of its brick-and-mortar shop, the business will continue to operate through its website and phone services. The family-owned establishment has been a popular destination for Welsh musicians, having served renowned artists such as Tom Jones, the Manic Street Preachers, and the Stereophonics over the years.
Established in 1960 by piano tuner Horace Gamlin and his wife Maureen, Gamlins originally focused on selling pianos but later expanded to include electric guitars, Vox amplifiers, and other equipment in response to the rising popularity of rock music. Philip Gamlin, the current manager and son of the founders, recalled how Tom Jones, then known as Tommy Scott, frequented the shop in its early days, with Philip’s mother even making sandwiches for the aspiring musician who could not afford his own.
The music shop moved to Wyndham Arcade in 1967 before settling at its current location on St Mary Street in 1980. Despite previously announcing closure plans in January 2020, which were later postponed, the Gamlin’s physical store will now be closing for good within days. Expressing gratitude to customers for their support over the decades, the management announced their final trading day and assured continued operation through their online and telephone services post-closure.
Gamlins Music Centre has been a beloved fixture in Cardiff for generations, offering not only instruments and gear but also a welcoming atmosphere for musicians of all skill levels. The shop’s closure marks the end of an era for the music community in Cardiff, as it bids farewell to a longstanding hub for music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.