Australian Musical Imports’ successful bid to merge with Allans Billy Hyde, saving the latter from receivership, may well be the lifeline needed to maintain Australia’s viability as quality musical instrument providers for all levels of ability. According to Con Gallin, owner of AMI, the Allans Billy Hyde NSW flagship stores at Sydney, Alexandria and Parramatta will all carry on trading, with the most of the staff retained.
Allans Music had a 160-year history, and Billy Hyde a 50-year history, prior to their merging in 2010, but a tumultuous time for musical instrument sales, due in part to inexpensive hardware and software music making programs, saw the company floundering.
Con Gallin is probably best placed to understand the task at hand in turning company fortunes around. He said:
“My first job part time while at school was at Allans Music in Collins Street, Melbourne, and now I bought the company, although it wasn’t an easy decision as it’s going to take a lot of hard work and commitment to rejuvenate these stores.”
Only three months ago it seemed Allans Billy Hyde’s 25 stores across Australia were going to close forever, in effect losing a 25% market share. A previous bid by Gallins in October was rejected by the receiver. Music businesses believe the turnaround cannot come too soon, and the purchase, effective immediately, could herald in a whole new era of Australian performing artists.
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