It’s been a mainstay of the Manchester scene for the last two decades, but it looks as though now is finally the end of an era for Dawsons Music & Sound.
After being forced to temporarily close doors due to “staffing shortages” last month, the huge two-storey, glass-fronted Manchester branch of the iconic musical instrument and consumer audio retail chain – which opened on Portland Street in the heart of the city centre in 2003 – can now be seen empty inside.
The Manchester store was described as the go-to place for musical instruments in the city, and a “mecca to 1000s of customers over the last 17 years” – but recent customers reported “little stock”.
And now, all stock appears to have been removed.
All that seems to be left inside the building are discarded storage units and rubbish, with a sign in the window that reads the parting words “thank you for the music”.
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The Manchester store was described as the go-to place for musical instruments in the city, and a “mecca to 1000s of customers over the last 17 years” / Credit: Reddit (SwissJAmes)
Although no formal statement has been issued by Dawsons regarding closure, members of staff on social media have confirmed that the Manchester branch has now closed down for good, and Google also lists the store as ‘permanently closed’.
A recent post on Reddit sharing a picture of the sign in the window queried how long the Manchester shop had been closed for, with a former staff member revealing that they worked there until this past Monday.
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“Can confirm it’s definitely gone, we’re all devastated,” Reddit user redwards1138 said.
They added that is was “really nice to be part of a shop with such history and connection to Manchester” and said they would do their best to answers any questions that people had about the place.
The former staff member also revealed that a closure seemed imminent as “supplies dried up and [we were] turning people away because we couldn’t fulfil orders, and when other [music shops] seemed on the up, we just weren’t.”
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Despite enjoying online / e-commerce growth during lockdowns, the former staff member believes the closure ultimately boiled down to the fact Dawsons Manchester “weren’t as on it as our competitors.”
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: The Manc Group
Dawsons Music & Sound was founded in Warrington all the way back in 1898 by John Dawson – a piano tuner, who opened the shop to cater for growing demand from people wanting to buy new instruments.
In March 2019, Dawsons announced it would close its Warrington store, ending its 121-year retail presence in the town, as well as its branches in Altrincham and Huddersfield.
On 20 April 2020, the board of Dawsons Music filed a Notice Of Intent to appoint Administrators (NOI), and KPMG was later appointed financial control of the business as it entered administration, but it was announced a month later that a new buyer for the business – Manchester entrepreneurs Andrew M Oliver and his wife Karen Oliver – had been found, and the company would begin trading under the name Dawson Music & Sound Ltd.
The remaining Dawsons Music & Sound branches are expected to continue trading.
Featured Image – Dawsons Music & Sound
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Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway
Danny Jones
You heard us right: the time has come for Greater Manchester to level up its service station game, as work on the long-talked-about Tebay-style venue over in Trafford has finally begun.
Those motorway trips are about to get even better.
We first heard about the vision to provide a brand-new Tatton Services back in March 2022, with the Westmorland Family – known not only for Tebay but the similarly popular Gloucester and Cairns Lodge equivalents – promising to deliver a new top-quality stop-off point in the region.
It’s one that people across the North West have been keeping a keen eye on ever since, and now the dial is finally moving on the major project. You can see more detailed images here:
With the Westmorlands and the official Tatton Estate agreeing a partnership that weighs heavily in the former’s favour, the new services will be located around the M56 near the Bowdon Roundabout in Altrincham.
Bordering the electoral ward of Trafford and Cheshire, it is set to be located between junctions seven and eight of the M6 motorway near neighbouring Millington and Rostherne.
It’s estimated to cost more than £65 million and will be one of the most expensive developments of its kind the country has ever seen, with only the pending Chalfont St Peter station by Extra Motorway Services Group set to be more expensive (approximately £90m).
As per Forecourt Trader, the blueprints include a dedicated 100-room hotel, one of their trademark farm shops that those travelling rave about so much, a petrol station, as well as 40 charging bays for electric vehicles. Service station facilities have come a long way since 1972, when Tebay first opened.
However, while plans are at long last getting underway, it will be arriving much later than expected, with the initial opening date slated for some time later this year; instead, it is now they are now aiming for spring 2028, meaning you’ll just have to make do with the OG for now.
We promise this was purely a coincidence on our way back from Kendal Calling 2026, by the way…
Speaking on behalf of family, the Tatton Services Proposal team, and members of the estate, Westmorland chair Sarah Dunning said in a recent statement on the update: “We’re very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire.
“From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community. We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site – and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish.
“We’re also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry. Our ambition is not only to serve travellers but to create opportunities and lasting value for the communities around us.”
What do you make of the proposed plans for the ‘next Tebay‘?
Major incident declared in response to Greater Manchester wildfires ‘stood down’
Emily Sergeant
The major incident that was declared in response to several wildfires across Greater Manchester has now officially been ‘stood down’.
Nearly a month on from the first blaze breaking out near the popular beauty spot of Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham on 11 July, which then unfortunately went on to merge with a fire at Tintwistle and Swineshaw, prompting a major multi-agency response, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The fire service says it has made the decision to ‘stand down’ the major incident that was declared in response to the fires.
It comes after firefighters worked hard in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Greater Manchester moorland fires are still burning after more than two weeks / Credit: GMFRS
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies were also deployed over the past month as operations continued across multiple sectors.
While the major incident has been stood down, however, GMFRS says it wants to be clear that the fire is ‘not over’ yet.
Issuing a formal statement on the current situation as it stands, GMFRS said: “Reflecting the significant progress that has been made over recent weeks, the fire is now largely contained and the risk of further significant spread reduced substantially.
“This milestone has only been possible because of the outstanding efforts of firefighters, landowners, and partner agencies and organisations, who have shown incredible professionalism, commitment and resilience throughout a challenging and prolonged incident.
“Whilst standing down the major incident is an important step forward, the incident is not over.
“Fire is still present beneath the surface so firefighters will remain at the scene to monitor and contain any fire spread, while working alongside our partners to support ongoing recovery efforts.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd September 2021 
