Balaam’s Music

Very helpful knowledgeable staff and a good range of instruments/​music/​accessories. There is also a fabulous instrument repairer who works from the shop who I have entrusted my precious instruments to on a number of occasions.
The store does an instrumental rental scheme if you’re trying out playing an instrument for the first time.

This store is one you tend to forget about unless you need it as it caters to a very specific market — and from the name of the shop it is obviously music. I am not at all musically inclined — in fact a complete novice with no knowledge or real interest. However, I was forced to use this shop when my child began playing the clarinet at school — I constantly needed to buy reeds and they were always in stock which was great. Considering the first time I went in I didnt even know what a reed looked like, I must admit that the staff were always very helpful, considering my lack of knowledge, and didnt make me feel uncomfortable at all. There is no outside parking, but you could easily park in the town centre or one of the nearby car parks. If you needed to drop off or collect it would be possible to briefly stop outside the shop if necessary.