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Pet Shop Boys pay tribute to beloved music store

Michael Bailey The multi-coloured shop front of J.G Windows. Musical instruments can be seen through the windows.Michael Bailey
JG Windows in Newcastle's central arcade had traded since 1908

Musicians across the North East have shared their memories of an "iconic" music store after it closed its doors for the final time.

JG Windows in Newcastle's Central Arcade closed on Friday after directors said it could no longer compete with online retailers.

Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant, who grew up in Newcastle, said the news of the closure was "very sad" and that the store would be "much missed".

North East indie icons Maximo Park were also among those to pay tribute, with singer Paul Smith saying he had spent "many an hour rummaging through the CD and vinyl sale selection".

Smith, from Billingham, said it was "terrible news for the city centre".

"I'll miss walking through the arcade, looking at the instruments in the window, or popping in to get some guitar strings."

There has been an outpouring of support for the store since the closure was announced.

Paul Smith of Maximo Park performs on stage. he is wearing a light blue suit and hat. He is holding his microphone out to the crowd.
Paul Smith of Maximo Park said he spent "many an hour" in JG Windows

Field Music's David Brewis, from Sunderland, said JG Windows was an "essential part of the music community in the North East".

Brewis said it was the place to find band members, as people would place ads on the wall at the bottom of the stairs.

David Brewis - one half of Field Music and the Cornshed Sisters performing at Radcliffe and Maconie's 6 Music Christmas outside broadcast.
David Brewis, one half of Field Music, said the store was an "essential part" of the North East's music community

Newcastle musician Rob Tickell said the store was where North East performers went "from cradle to grave".

"It went from the instruments you would use at school, right through to the much, much cooler rock instruments."

He also paid tribute to the staff.

"They were incredibly tolerant of young boys going and staring for hours at guitars on the wall and finally plucking up the courage to ask to try one.

"They never seemed to show it to me, anyway, if they were frustrated."

Michael Matthews Rob Tickell is performing on stage with an electric guitar. He is wearing a striped shirt and smiling.Michael Matthews
Newcastle musician Rob Tickell said it was where people got their instruments "from the cradle to the grave"

Karen Mavin from Northumberland remembers purchasing her son Nadeem's first trumpet there 20 years ago, and people "camping out" for the sales.

"The staff were so helpful," she said.

Her son now writes and releases music after "realising his passion", Ms Mavin added.

Karen Mavin Nadeem, a young boy, blows on a trumpet.Karen Mavin
Karen Mavin bought her son's first trumpet at JG Windows

Terence Anthony from County Durham said he bought his sons' first guitars at JG Windows.

He said the service was "so good, helpful and nurturing" and that "Windows staff were exactly what music shop people should be".

Terence Anthony Terence Anthony and his two sons pose, smiling, with their guitars. They all have short ginger hair.Terence Anthony
Terence Anthony from County Durham said the staff at JG Windows were "so good"

JG Windows is to go into liquidation on 12 December.

The Northumberland and Newcastle Society said the future of the building was assured due to its protective listing and position within the central conservation area.

Chairman John Matthews said it had been a "beloved fixture of the town’s music scene since opening in 1908".

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