Site of iconic music store gets new lease of life

The site of a landmark music shop in a colourful district of Brighton will get a new lease of life when a local family-run business moves in.

The GAK Music Emporium, in the North Laine, closed in March, entered insolvency and sold its assets to an online music store.

There were concerns that the iconic venue - located in a neighbourhood of independent shops, restaurants and pubs - would be taken over by a global coffeehouse giant.

But sock business Socktopus, which is currently based in nearby Bond Street, will move into the building.

The giant Fender Stratocaster guitar that is hung on the shopfront and the striking yellow paintwork are set to go.

The new premises will retain some of the original interior features, but it is being repainted blue.

"We've had some great responses from people saying it's 'Socktopus blue'," Jess Game, manager of the store said.

"It looks very pretty and quite in keeping with the area."

Socktopus - which is currently changing its name from Soctopus - has seven stores across the UK, in Brighton, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford, York, Chester and Newcastle.

The brand, owned by Nick and Josie Starsmore, began in Brighton and is known for its unique sock designs.

The new shop is expected to open in early August, with both sites operating temporarily until the Bond Street store is closed next year.

The GAK brand, meanwhile, will continue online under new ownership, following the sale of its stock, branding and website to Gear4music.com.

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