THE owner of a music store that opened its doors in Chard one year ago said he is “hoping to grow” and expand this year.

Dan Shortland opened the Somerset Music Academy last year and the store, on 2 Stringfellow Gallery, Holyrood Street, has just celebrated its first anniversary.

Music lovers in and around Chard can now benefit from a series of offers launched by Dan to say thank you to its customers and celebrate the anniversary.

Dan said: “We are planning 21 days of offers, all different, to say thank you.

“20 per cent of guitars, 10 per cent of strings, etc. When you add it up together they total to thousands of pounds off.

“The first was fast past our expectations. We were welcomed by the community, we have customers coming from Exeter, Seaton, and Sidmouth, because there are not many music shops in the area.

“Some people came to visit the store while they were on holiday from Scotland, and that’s superb.

“We are hoping to grow. We will grow this year, it’s just the case of where and when.

“We have big plans for this year, and we will be increasing the range that we offer and do more than just instruments and accessories.

“We also offer piano, guitars, and ukulele lessons and we are fully booked.

“Things are massively going well.”