Is music shop Foulds still leaving Derby city centre? Here's the answer
The musical instruments business has been in Derby for more than 100 years
Foulds has been in its Iron Gate shop since 1908 (Image: Google)
A musical instruments business which last year announced its intention to leave the city centre after for more than 100 years could be set to maintain a presence within the heart of Derby.
Back in September, Foulds announced plans to close its Iron Gate store this year and move to an out-of-town location.
The Cathedral Quarter premises have been home to the business since 1908.
However, in a statement recently posted on the music shop's Facebook page, the firm has revealed that the Foulds name could be set to maintain a city centre presence.
The post states that its guitar business will be relocating to new premises within the city centre.
James Foulds, pictured here in 2008 with a cake to mark the Iron Gate store's 100th anniversary (Image: Derby Telegraph)
Meanwhile, its piano, orchestral and sheet music department will remain at its Iron Gate site "for the foreseeable future" while suitable new premises are sought for it.
It also reveals that one of its directors, Danny Jackson, who currently oversees that particular department, will step up to the role of managing director.
In the Facebook post, the company said: "This will be an exciting year for us, with new premises, new ideas and happy times ahead.
Foulds' Iron Gate shop pictured in 1971 (Image: Derby Telegraph)
"In the spring, the guitar shop will be relocating to a city centre premises with Foulds guitar specialist Jason Marshall as managing director.
"Jason is a graduate of Derby University's Popular Music programme and also from the prestigious Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.
"Jason has extensive experience in performance, live sound, recording and guitar repairs. Jason and his team will continue to uphold our long-established reputation of excellence in this field and take the business forward.
In 2004 the business expanded and opened a guitar centre (Image: Derby Telegraph)
"Thank you to all of our customers, staff and suppliers for your encouragement and support over the last few months. Here's to the next 126 years!"
Founded in 1893, Foulds actually began trading in Nottingham, at a shop in Chapel Bar. It came to Derby in 1908, opening in Iron Gate in premises it still occupies today.
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At one point, Foulds had a chain of music stores across the East Midlands. But, due to the Great Depression after the First World War, each of the branches closed one by one – except for the Derby store, which prospered.
The business was founded by Charles Foulds. His son Arthur took over the management of the Derby store in 1945 and was joined by his son, Philip, in 1950. Philip's son, James, took over as managing director in 1984.
Foulds announced the retirement of James in September.
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Cathedral Quarter