Iconic Newcastle music store set to go into liquidation
A store in Newcastle that was a ‘cornerstone of the region’s musical heritage’ for over a century is set go into liquidation
JG Windows, the musical instrument, sheet music and recorded music store, has taken steps to appoint Andrew Little and Gillian Sayburn of Begbies Traynor as joint liquidators.
All 17 of the company’s employees have been made redundant.
The store in the city’s Central Arcade opened just two years after the arcade’s grand launch in 1906.
Little said: “While other shops have come and gone, JG Windows has always remained and flourished, becoming one of the UK’s oldest and most respected music stores with an unrivalled reputation for their fantastic range of instruments and musical expertise.
“Its closure is incredibly sad and bears no reflection on the firm’s directors who have ceaselessly gone above and beyond to try and drive the business forward. Competing in the current market had become impossible for them and they had no viable choice but to cease trading.”
The company previously had sister stores in Metro Centre and Darlington which closed in 2022 and 2018 respectively. It was was put up for sale in 2023, but was unsuccessful in finding a buyer.
The store’s general manager, Alex Cole, said: “Despite our best efforts to transform and adapt through streamlined operations, the introduction of the Windows Music Academy, and the launch of a new online offering, we have been unable to compete against falling margins, rising costs and the general shift within the UK to online shopping, streaming and downloads.”
“I would like to thank the J G Windows team for their incredible service. I can confidently say there was not a better skilled and more knowledgeable, experienced, or passionate team of musical experts in any music store across the UK.
“I would also like to thank the thousands of customers who have given us their support over the years and to whom the store means so much. It has genuinely been an honour and a privilege to be part of the J G Windows journey, the city will be a quieter place without it.”
