An "iconic" Camden music shop used by Amy Winehouse and Noel Gallagher has been saved from the brink of closure.
Dots Music, in St Pancras Way between Kentish Town and Camden, was founded in 1987 by Kentish Town music teacher Dot Fraser and her husband Noel, who retired in 2017.
With many live venues nearby, over the years the shop has been visited by musicians including Amy Winehouse and Oasis songwriter and guitarist Noel Gallagher, who returned to Dots in a recent Netflix series on Camden.
Dot died in 2021 and the shop - one of the last of its kind in London - was put on the market last year.
It reopened this week after new owners Ian and Lindsay Douglas stepped in to buy it, and skilled staff who worked under Dot and Noel have been retained.
"We discussed it at long length and decided it was the right thing to do just to make it secure and as long lasting as possible," Lindsay said.
“London can’t lose a music shop as iconic and important to Camden’s musical heritage as Dots Music."
It's not just famous musicians needing to replace broken strings. The shop sells a full range of instruments including stringed instruments, wind, brass and classical and electric guitars, as well as accessories and sheet music.
Expert staff can also repair and service instruments, as well as put beginners and parents in touch with teachers.
"This shop is loved right down to South London because general music shops are so rare," Lindsay added.
“Dots’ expert musicians, luthiers and brass repairers, that give so much essential help to the public, are all happily staying on as part of the team.
"Dots staff are so friendly and non-judgmental. You will never be patronised, for example, for knowing almost nothing about your kid’s school instruments.
"It’s a safe place to come as a learner and be respected as much as any professional.”
Lindsay says requests to hire trumpets and violins as pupils return to school have alread restarted, and points to the range of people who can help learners in a way that is only possible face to face.
“Music shops are needed because you can’t get expertise and friendly help from mass importers," she added.
"Even a violin of the same brand will sound better if you buy it here. Dots’ luthier improves the hand-made violins to create better instruments that are completely unique to Dots.
"You can’t sound like this by ordering on Amazon.”
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