A Llanelli music shop is set to close after more than 15 years of trading in the town. Cadno Music Cymru in John Street has drawn famous faces as well as regular customers through its doors. The store shuts for good at the end of July, once its retirement sale ends.
Alun Rees, 65, of Loughor, the owner of Cadno Music, said: “I feel apprehensive as well as looking forward to it. I have been at it for around 15 years, it’s been a love of a lifetime. It’s had some very funny moments. We opened up in January 2007 and had a small place in Stepney Place and in August 2008 we moved to John Street, where we are now. We wanted to have a music school and it’s a very successful music school and we are looking for someone to buy it."
He added: “We have got interested parties in the music school but not necessarily the store. We have done a lot of performing with local young bands over the years - we did a Llanelli Battle of the Bands. The last day for the shop is July 31 hopefully the school will continue after that.”
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News of the closure has been met with sadness from local musicians and music lovers - saying it was sad to see another music shop bite the dust.
Swansea guitar player Tom Evans said: "It's really gutting to see it go. There used to be quite a few music shops in south Wales - there's hardly any left. They're a lifeline to musicians because as places to get equipment you could meet other musicians and they were a key part of the local music scene.
"Cadno Music was one of those great places because you could go in for some strings and come away learning about a new band or meeting someone to jam with. The guy who ran the shop was helpful beyond belief. You just don't get the same kind of experience buying equipment online. "
Alun, who started off his working career at 16 in Duport Steel as an apprentice electrician, following its closure in 1980 followed his passion for music and became a guitar player. He said: “The trade was extremely good when I first started but with the internet and the pandemic it’s eaten away at the business. A lot of people tend to buy online rather than going to their commercial music store, leading a lot to close down.
“When I started there were a lot more shops than now. There were ones in Swansea, they have closed in Haverfordwest.”
Alun added: “In 2007, we had Kerry Kelli who was on tour in Alice Cooper who came and did a workshop for us. They took us to the college and he played School’s Out, it’s on YouTube now. Nige Rockett, from Heavy metal band Onslaught, and Stuart Cable from the Stereophonics also dropped in.
“Phil Campbell from Motorhead came here to record material.” Read more about some of the gigs coming to Cardiff this summer here and with our newsletters.
Alun, who is originally from north Gower and is married to Michele, 61, said his son Jonathan, 28, and his daughter Neesha, 32, had their own careers and were not in a position to take on the store.
“I have got a recording studio at home, I have ideas of what I have wanted to do over the years,” he said. “Obviously, I do a lot of photography as well - I have got things to do after I retire. We have got a grandson and I want to take him to rugby and football.”
