An Evolution of our Presence in Cambridge.
CAMBRIDGE, UK - For nearly two centuries, our story has been woven into the very fabric of Cambridge. Since 1856—through the reign of six monarchs, two world wars, and two global pandemics—we’ve helped scholars, buskers, teachers, and generations of aspiring musicians. Now, we are evolving once again to meet the needs of the modern musician by embarking on our most significant move yet.
We are excited to announce that we will be transitioning our primary operations to a new, state-of-the-art showroom and hub in North Cambridge, while maintaining a city-centre presence with the launch of our specialist 'Guitar Lab’.
A New Home for a New Type of Retail
“We can’t ignore the changing nature of retail. Cambridge is a wonderful retail location but the city centre is no longer suitable for pianos and so we must adapt. By moving to a larger, more efficient showroom and operations hub, we are doubling down on our mission to make quality instruments more accessible and sustainable to all” said Simon Pollard, Managing Director of Millers Music. Millers has provided a rental service for decades, alongside our retail business and believe the future of the music industry depends on making instruments more accessible to all. That said, we plan to grow our incredibly popular rental business by adding delivery and collection services across the region.
Simon added “The Circular Economy is a major opportunity - especially in music, it has huge growth potential and we believe that the music industry could be a leader in this. Price can often be a barrier, especially when buying online, but rental solves these problems by providing accessible pathways to quality instruments whilst being more sustainable. Cambridge is a global hub for innovation and sustainable thinking, I can’t think of anywhere better from which to develop this concept.”
Millers Music’s new location will serve as the heart of our piano and retail and rental operations, offering:
Enhanced Showroom Accessibility: Situated near major transport hubs with dedicated on-site parking.
Expanded Facilities: A larger showroom, a specialised workshop and dedicated studio space.
Circular Economy: A foundation to grow our sustainable rental program, ensuring quality instruments remain accessible to all.
Calling all Guitarists: Introducing "Guitar Lab"
While the traditional large city centre music shop has faced unending pressures in recent years, we believe in the power of specialised retail and community hubs that support longevity and repair. That’s why we are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Guitar Lab.
Our plan is for this concept to remain a vibrant part of the city centre, transitioning into a dedicated, boutique retail unit later in the year. This space will focus entirely on the world of guitars—offering a dedicated range of instruments and accessories as well as repairs and luthier services.
The Grand Move: Clearance Sales Event
Relocating a 170-year-old piano showroom is no small feat. To facilitate this transition, we will be holding a series of Sales Clearance events. This is a rare opportunity for our customers, old and new, to acquire world-class instruments with once-in-a-lifetime discounts across our entire showroom range.
Simon added “Moving an entire showroom is a massive undertaking; we would much rather pass those savings on to our customers than spend it on logistics.”
We still believe in Cambridge, its global place for education, employment, sustainability, and especially music. This, along with our loyal customers, is what inspires and motivates us more. We will continue to be advocates and supporters of our fine city, its musical heritage, and incredible achievements that have also defined our business. Ultimately, we are moving so that we can continue to ensure that 170 years from now, music remains a pervasive, inclusive, and high-quality part of our community and society.
Why are you moving out of Cambridge city centre now?
We had planned to move in 2027 when our lease expired but the opportunity move earlier came up and it just made sense as we knew this was the right path for the future.
Where is your new location?
In North Cambridge with better transport links and on-site parking.
Why can you not just stay where you are?
Cambridge city centre has become a victim of its own extraordinary success, evolving into a world-class destination that buzzes with international tourism and high-end commerce. However, this prosperity has fundamentally reshaped the streets we’ve known for 170 years; the retail landscape that once housed seven music shops alone is now increasingly occupied by coffee shops, fast food restaurants, gift shops, and experiential tourist attractions—sectors that provide "in-the-moment" services that are naturally shielded from the encroachment of online retailing.
While we celebrate the vibrancy of our city, the reality of operating a traditional music business in the heart of such a "premium" landscape has become unsustainable. The logistics of transporting and storing big, bulky pianos in the city centre combined with significantly lower margins from online discounting and constant upward cost pressures simply no longer works. It would be foolish to ignore such fundamental shifts to the market.
What about existing orders or rentals?
All orders will be fulfilled as normal. Rentals will continue, we will be contacting people about alternative options for delivery, collection, and purchase.
What is Guitar Lab and what are you plans for this?
By stripping away the logistical complexities of pianos, the Guitar Lab can focus entirely on what it does best: providing a curated, high-touch environment for enthusiasts and professionals alike. This separate space will serve as a boutique sanctuary for discovery, expert setups, and luthier services—proving that a focused, community-driven guitar destination can still hit exactly the right note in the heart of the city.
Simon
With over 25 years experience, I've been fortunate enough to literally travel the world visiting factories and music shops, talking to master technicians and engineers, building up a huge knowledge and understanding of the market, products, and concepts.
I am driven by the belief that music is hugely important and should be accessible to all. I advocate for repair and reuse in the industry and across society.