Hobgoblin Music has outgrown its back room at in the Bristol Music Shop at College Green, and at the beginning of March the shop moved to splendid new premises further up the road at 36 Park Street.



The new shop is twice the size of the old one, and is now home to lots more instruments, as well as a much bigger range of music books, spares and accessories. There's also more space for trying out instruments.



In the past year Bristol has become well known for its unique and exciting live music scene, in which all the Bristol Hobgoblin shop staff are involved. A survey published recently by the Performing Rights Society found Bristol to be Britain's most musical city. Shop manager Cris Pierssene, who is a guitarist in folk and roots band Malarchy, said: “We have really seen an increase in the number of people interested in learning instruments and teaching themselves to play. People are returning to the days of playing traditional live music, and it’s great!



“In these trying times creating your own music is the cheap and cheerful entertainment option which is why opening this shop is so exciting. We hope it will become the first port of call for everything musical and will introduce people to the different musical styles, we at Hobgoblin love.

“The new store will mean we can offer the full musical experience to visitors. We will be selling both unique and traditional instruments, offering a repair service, giving musical advice and there’s always someone playing one instrument or another which will give customers a taste of real Bristol music!”

Peter McClelland, director of Hobgoblin Music, which has eight stores across the country said: “The Bristol store at 36 Park Street will now be the largest in the chain and it really reflects the fantastic interest in everything musical in the city.

“Last year was our most successful ever with sales of instruments like ukuleles, whistles and banjos coming back into fashion in a big way.”

Hobgoblin Music was established in 1976 by Pete and Mannie McClelland.