The late Dot Fraser with Madi Solomon

A MUCH-LOVED independent music business on a quiet corner of Kentish Town is on the market. Dots the Music Shop in St Pancras Way is up for sale six years after its owner took over from business’s founder.

Music books sales are down with competition from web giants like Amazon – but the instrument-rentals is still attracting customers from far-and-wide.

Owner Madi Solomon said: “The place is a real institution, not just in Camden but in the music community in London and outside of London as well. We get orders from all over the place. It’s just about finding someone with the time to nurture the businesses and keep it going. I’m really hoping someone can keep it going in the same way.”

She added: “It’s sad. I’m devastated. But times have changed. I have had it now for six years and in that time I have had a lot of personal circumstances that I don’t think need to be broadcast here. But they have meant I don’t have time to look after the business like I used to.”

The lease to the business is priced at £20,000 for the shop and the stock, including an array of musical instruments and accessories, is valued at £60,000, according to a notice.

“It’s the whole kit and caboodle,” said Ms Solomon, who is classically trained in piano and plays banjo, guitar, ukulele and the Irish harp.

“We have instruments and instrument-rentals. That has kept being a really really strong part of the business. Instruments never go out of style.

“Renting an instrument is a really good way to see if it is a good match with a child. If you want to see if ‘little Jinny’ is going to take to the clarinet, why not rent one for three months at £20 a month?”

SEE ALSO TRIBUTES POUR IN AS DOTS MUSIC SHOP FOUNDER DIES OF A STROKE

On what had changed since she took over, Ms Solomon said: “There are fewer competitors now. Stores like Islington Music and Ray Man have gone. But the musicians are still alive.

“Behavioural changes in retail have occurred – and that’s ok. If I had the time to dedicate to it all I would find a faster and easier way of doing online. What we noticed over the last six years is that what people are buying less of is the music books. I can only order them when the office is open.

“And then I am relying on a person to pack the bags. By the time I get it well, people can get it within 24 hours these days from Amazon. So we have been slowly divesting the music books.”

Bespoke sheet music browsers and bookshelves are included in the lease for the business that was set up by Dot and Noel Fraser.

In 2017, Dot and Noel retired to Whitstable, leaving their home in Rochester Terrace.

There was an outpouring of tributes to Dot after she died in 2021. Camden Council gave the Dots Music Shop a special “unsung heroes” award.