Rescuer key to saving piano shop

Mar 28 2007 By Chris Morley, Birmingham Mail

A FAMOUS Birmingham piano company which supplies many of world's top orchestras is facing the music after going bust.

A white knight rescuer is now being sought to prevent the break-up of Ladbrooke Pianos in Bristol Street and the loss of irreplaceable restoration and tuning skills.

The company, set up more than half a century ago by popular band leader and composer Vincent Ladbrooke, once enjoyed a close association with John Broadwood & Sons, the oldest established piano maker in the world.

Broadwood, founded in 1728, supplied German composer Beethoven with his favourite instrument in 1817 - as well as other great composers such as Chopin and Lizst and the crowned heads of Europe.

The two firms have common shareholders in the Simon family. Although Broadwood is not in administration it is believed to be also up for sale.

Traditionally Ladbrooke Pianos has worked with Broadwood and together the firms developed a new "barless" upright piano which was unveiled by former CBSO leader Sir Simon Rattle in 1995.

Ladbrooke, which last year recorded a turnover of £200,000, boasts an original Broadwood piano in its showroom which had once been played by Beethoven, Chopin and Bach.

Administrator Gagen Sharma, of Birmingham-based accountant Sharma & Co, said Ladbrooke fell into difficulties after the death of the founder but there was no successor to lead the company.

She said there were three permanent staff but a number of highly skilled specialist sub-contractors were also employed.

Mrs Sharma said: "The company is very established and well-known. As well as its restoration work, it hires out pianos to most of the large orchestras such as the CBSO and National Philharmonic, as well as schools and churches.

"I want to retain the company's position in Birmingham and the employees if at all possible. There has been some interest already in buying the company. I am hoping there will be more and that a person really interested in the craft steps forward."