End of an era as unique family business closes (From Western Telegraph)

End of an era as unique family business closes

A unique family business which has become an institution in West Wales, with outlets developed across the world, closes its doors on March 31st.

Swales Music Centre, which opened modestly in a one-roomed shop during the 1960s Beatlemania boom, will disappear at the end of the month and 45 years of local history will be at an end.

Founded in a former cobbler's shop, by Haverfordwest's 'Mr Music' Joffre Swales and his wife Nan, who relied on their three children Pat, Peter and Freda to advise them from Juke Box Jury experience, which records would sell best, the business grew as the couple bought two adjoining premises and lived above the shop.

Daughter Pat gave up her job as head of music at Blackheath High School, London, to join the business while Freda also returned after working with Imhoff's Records in Oxford Street.

Pat and Freda still run the business, and Peter, a psycho-analyst who has lived in America for 35 years, also takes a keen interest.

"It doesn't look as if the shop is going to be bought as a going concern," said Pat wistfully.

"Even a specialised shop like this has not escaped the effects of the supermarkets. Tesco are now selling musical instruments on the internet and cut-price CDs and DVDs."

Freda said: "The new Andrea Bocceli CD, for example, costs £8.95 at Tesco, but we have to buy it from our suppliers at £9.17 plus VAT."

"And we have had youngsters asking us to tune guitars bought in Argos," said Pat. "They give us a strange look when we suggest they put a fiver in the charity box."

As they sell off the remaining stock, dispose of their mail order business and worldwide choir music market (with customers in Dubai, Australia and America), the sisters reflect on the changes they have seen.

Gone are the days when the Folk Club, founded by sailors from HMS Harrier at Kete, met in the vaulted cellar, and when hippies occupied the music booth, leaving behind the faint aroma of 'funny fags'.

"I like to think we were a music centre in the real sense," said Pat.

"This was a place where musicians met to talk, to play, to learn, to browse and buy records, and even to take exams."