Save Independent Guitar Shops After 2025 GAK Closure

 A passionate Brighton guitarist, dismayed by the recent closure of the city’s iconic music store GAK, has launched a compelling campaign to champion independent guitar shops. Drew Haselhurst, 45, describes the loss of GAK, which ceased trading in North Road this March, as a “shock” and a personal blow, prompting him to take action to preserve a vital part of local culture and the broader music industry.

Save Independent Guitar Shops

Haselhurst, a dedicated guitarist in his spare time, fondly remembers GAK as an “Aladdin’s cave” due to its extensive selection. “It’s rare to have a shop that big, with that much choice,” he reflects. “If I was ever in town, I would always find time to pop in. I was genuinely gutted when it went under.”

He emphasizes the importance of such establishments, noting, “GAK and Resident are the places which retain a bit of Brighton culture – there are so many chain shops now.”

In response, Haselhurst has inaugurated the Save Our Guitar Shops campaign.

This initiative urges guitarists globally to pledge their support for independent retailers and to reconsider online purchases. The campaign’s online platform features profiles of participating shops, a global wall of public pledges from musicians, and a nomination form for other independent stores to join the cause.

Sussex Guitar Stores

The burgeoning campaign has already garnered support from four Sussex-based music shops: Mudpie Music, North Laine Music, and Badlands Guitars in Brighton, alongside Bonners Music in Eastbourne.

Haselhurst acknowledges the convenience of online shopping but warns against the potential “sleepwalking into guitar shops going.”

He stresses the unique value of in-person shopping for instruments: “As a guitarist, if you’re going to buy one that really fits you, then you need to hold it and see it.”

Drew also shares a personal anecdote of an online purchase that didn’t meet his expectations, highlighting the importance of physical interaction and expert advice.

“It’s also about getting advice and trusting someone you build a relationship with,” Haselhurst adds, advocating for the community aspect fostered by local shops. He passionately connects the survival of these stores to the UK’s rich musical heritage: “Think of all the amazing bands we have produced in this country – as a little island we’ve punched well above our weight in terms of music – and part of why is because we have all these little guitar shops dotted around the country. Our music industry would suffer without them.”

GAK

As a guitarist and musician, I have a personal link to GAK in Brighton because I worked there in the late ’90s, and before that, I had always used the fledgling store for all my guitar needs.

It originated as a small one-man market stall run by Gary Marshall just behind where the main store was eventually situated, and was frequented by musicians from all over the Sussex area. I still own and use the Washburn guitar tuner I purchased at the store when it was in that small marketplace.

Eventually, I ended up working at GAK myself, having previously worked at X Music in Brighton, which sadly closed, and the owner of GAK invited me to come and work for him. I’ve always gone on record and stated that Gary was the best boss I have ever had, and that stands to this day.

Working at this store, I met some amazing musicians, played some exceptional guitars, and met many famous guitarists (I’ll never forget the day Peter Green walked in and his manager asked if I wanted to come and jam with him in the studio).

GAK was loved by local musicians, and so when it closed down, it sent shockwaves through the community and worldwide.

Then, BAX Music announced bankruptcy, and PMT Music announced they were closing shortly after. All of these stores provided a service and employed many people.

Support Your Local Guitar Stores

These days, I live in the southwest of the UK, in Devon. My local independent guitar stores include WM Guitars in Ashburton and Rock City , a new small independent store that just opened in Tiverton.

Both of these guitar stores are owned and run by passionate guitarists and are the types of small businesses that need our support.

Small stores like these are my hunting grounds for vintage guitar deals and rare, unusual guitars.

Worldwide

Even the famous Cassell’s Music, where they filmed Wayne’s World, is closing down!

The United States is also facing issues with small businesses being subjected to Trump’s Tariffs and having to second-guess how much their bills are going to be, as prices fluctuate monthly.

All these issues are having a detrimental effect on the world of guitars and the industry as a whole.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, and share your favourite local guitar store where you live.

This story was first reported by The Argus.