THE owner of a music shop opened the doors of his new business to Chard’s “fantastic community of musicians” last week.

Somerset Music Academy opened in Chard town centre last Saturday (August 5) at 2 Stringfellow Gallery, Holyrood Street.

The shop will sell guitars, ukuleles, and pianos while also providing tuition and lessons.

Dan Shortland, owner of the shop and guitarist since the age of six, said: “The opening day was fantastic. There is such a fantastic community of musicians in Chard and surrounding areas.

“We had around 20 people consistently in the shop from around 10am until 4.30pm which is superb.

“The overwhelming response was that it is great to see a music shop open within the town as it is something different and that we stock a great range of well-priced instruments. It was great to be able to sort new instruments for lots of people.”