Music retailer partially sold off after entering administration

Music retailer Dawsons Music and Sound has entered administration for the second time in less than 18 months, with part of the business immediately being sold off. The firm, which previously entered administration in May 2020 before being acquired, was said to have succumbed to issues including declining high street footfall, COVID-19 and the global silicone chip shortage.

Following the administration, five of the company’s six locations will close down. The retailer previously operated stores in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Belfast, Reading and Chester. Going forward, only the Chester location will continue as a physical store, alongside the company’s online operation.

Administrators from Interpath Advisory have sold part of the business and assets to Arranged Musical Options Ltd. When Dawsons Music entered administration in 2020, after COVID-19 exacerbated underlying issues, it was acquired by Arranged Musical Options directors Andrew and Karen Oliver, who formed the new company Dawsons Music and Sound Ltd.

Founded in 1898, Dawsons Music is among the UK’s longest-standing music retailers. As well as selling musical equipment, the firm has an education division that supplies musical equipment to schools and universities in the UK and internationally.

Interpath Advisory’s Neil Morley who was appointed joint administrator to the firm on September 1 alongside Howard Smith, commented: “It’s been a really challenging period for Dawsons. The company had continued to experience tough trading conditions, exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 on high street footfall, even following the easing of lockdown restrictions.”

“Additionally, the company was also experiencing supply issues due to the global shortage of silicon chips and the challenges facing international freight and distribution channels. Against this backdrop, we’re pleased to have been able to secure the sale of part of the business to Arranged Musical Options Ltd., which will ensure the Dawsons brand continues to trade a retail store and retains an online presence.”

In a statement, Interpath Advisory said: “Immediately following their appointment, the Joint Administrators sold part of the Company’s business and assets to Arranged Musical Options Ltd. The business will continue to trade from one store in Chester, as well as retaining its warehouse facility in Haydock. A total of 18 members of staff have transferred to Arranged Musical Options Ltd. as part of the sale.”

“Regrettably, due to the closure of its remaining operations, 48 members of staff have been made redundant on the appointment of the Joint Administrators. As a matter of priority, the Joint Administrators will be providing these employees with the support and information they need to be able to make claims from the Redundancy Payments Office.”


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