DAWSONS has moved its head office to Centre Park after the closure of its town centre store.

The national music chain was first founded in the town in 1890s as a piano shop, but shut its familiar Sankey Street home earlier this year.

While the business was also headquartered in offices above the shop, this has now moved to a new home on Mandarin Court, near to the town centre, in what has been described as ‘the next phase of the company’s story’.

Warrington Guardian:

Forming part of a rebranding that also includes a new slogan ‘run by musicians, for musicians’, Dawsons now hopes to become the ‘go-to resource for artists and musicians on the high street and online’.

Newly-appointed head of e-commerce Martin Cotterill said: “It’s an exciting time in Dawsons’ history.

“We have a profound heritage in selling musical instruments to all types of musicians, with an expertise that is second to none.

“Now we plan to build on this heritage with our new strategy and focus, so we can continue to be at the forefront of musical innovation for generations to come.”

Warrington Guardian:

A spokesman added: “In keeping with its service to musicians for over 120 years, the rebrand reflects both the evolution of the company – with over a century of noise to its credit – as well as its confident vision for the future.”

While Dawsons closed its Warrington store, branches in Manchester and Chester remain open.

Piano tuner John Dawson first opened the shop, selling classical instruments to pianists in the area, in 1898.

The store evolved with trends in music – with its offering growing to include a wide range of instruments from pocket-sized modular synths and digital grand pianos to ukuleles and nine-string electric guitars – and went on to become instrumental in the career of many musicians.

Dave Warwick, who discovered Rick Astley, used to work there in his first job following his school days while Stockton Heath playwright Tim Firth, who penned Calendar Girls, used to frequent the shop as a teenager.