Why Alford Is the Perfect Home for Music Bits

When we chose Alford as the home of Music Bits, we knew we were making the right decision. Nestled in the heart of Lincolnshire, Alford is perfectly positioned to serve a wide and wonderful stretch of the surrounding region — and the response from customers across the area has been nothing short of extraordinary.

We have regular customers travelling to see us from Lincoln, Horncastle, Woodhall Spa, Mablethorpe, Sutton on Sea, Skegness, Boston, Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Immingham, Scunthorpe, and beyond. To each and every one of you — a great big thank you. Your continued support means the world to us. And of course, a heartfelt thank you also goes to our seasonal visitors who find us during their time in Lincolnshire, and to our online customers from right across the UK. Without all of you, none of this would have been possible.

Doing the Impossible?

When we set out to open a brand new musical instrument shop in a small market town in the heart of Lincolnshire, more than a few people told us it couldn't be done. The high street is dying, they said. Online giants have taken all the business. Shops can't compete.

What the doubters didn't realise is that Music Bits is a thoroughly modern music shop.

Yes, we have all the traditional elements you'd expect — instruments and accessories lining the walls, a workshop for setups and repairs, and the kind of knowledgeable, hands-on service that independent music shops have always been known for. But we also have a thriving online business that continues to grow rapidly. The combination of the two is the secret to our success.

The Price Myth — Busted

The high volume of online orders we process every day allows us to buy stock in bulk at significant savings — and unlike many retailers, we pass those savings directly on to our customers. Our in-store prices are exactly what you'd expect to pay online. The assumption that shops are more expensive than the internet simply isn't true in our case. In fact, it's the other way around.

You pay the same price in-store as you do online. But with online orders, you pay postage on top — making a visit to the shop (or a click-and-collect order) the better deal. Best of both worlds, without paying extra for the privilege.

Experience You Can't Google

There's another factor the doubters overlooked entirely: we are not new to this business. Between us, we bring decades of experience and an extensive network of industry contacts. Traditional luthiery skills are the backbone of what we do. We are musicians first and foremost, and we genuinely care about the instruments we sell and the people we sell them to.

A happy customer can become a customer for life — and that is exactly what is happening here in Alford. Happy, contented, and satisfied customers who keep coming back, time after time.

A Proper Shop, Run by Real People

Why do they keep coming back? It's the rather radical concept of a shop run by real people, offering real expertise and proper customer service. A shop where someone actually answers emails and telephone calls. Where staff genuinely try to help every customer, whether they're local or located in the furthest-flung corner of the country.

What a concept.

Those who remember proper independent shops from decades past will recognise the idea immediately — because it's not actually new at all. But combine that timeless approach with the advantages of modern online retail — lower prices, fast delivery, and a seamless shopping experience — and you get the very best of both worlds.

That's Music Bits. That's why we chose Alford. And that's why we're so glad we did.