52 | UK Enterprise Awards 2022 As well as being environmentally aware when it comes to stock, WM Guitars is also trying to give a little back to the local community by helping a tree planting scheme as well as running local events. It also supports range of local charities. During the Covid lockdowns the industry saw a massive increase in sales of musical instruments, both from people learning as well as having more disposable income that they couldn’t spend elsewhere. To this end, the store launched its online shop to cater for this up-take – a move which has been very well received by customers. Ryan tells us, “This online trend will most likely level back out again but for now sales are good and we’re maximising on higher-end and artisan guitar sales. The website is fully mobile friendly and has several unique features for our industry. We have a lot of plans to expand our online shop as well as our online community.” Dedicated to going the extra mile, WM Guitars Ltd (WM Guitars) prides itself on its service and commitment to customer. We speak to Ryan Havinga, one of the founding members, and find out more in the wake of the shop being recognised in the UK Enterprise Awards 2022. Founded by Walter, Mark and Ryan in 2012, WM Guitars is now located in a double fronted shop on the edge of Dartmoor. Whilst its immediate catchment area is around 50 miles, Ryan describes the specialist workshop as more of a “destination shop” which brings people from far and wide and sees many loyal customers across the UK. “We take care of guitarists of all breeds, whether you’re just starting to learn or highly experienced,” he explains. “We stock a wide array of highly rare and collectable guitars along with historic guitars from as early as the 1800s. This ‘museum’ style approach brings in a massively wide audience. We also have all the parts to build your own guitars creating a onestop-shop for builders/luthiers.” As a small independent team comprising just five passionate individuals, WM Guitars provides a personal service to all of its clients. Over the past decade it has developed what Ryan refers to as a “guitar MOT” which adopts an engineering approach to repairs and maintenance. This highly renowned offering adds a sense of security for customers which is yet to be rivalled by competitors. Regarding the retail side of things, WM Guitars abides by an ethical ethos when it comes to sourcing its products and goes above and beyond when it comes to locating instruments made by small manufacturers that support the environment. “Sustainably sourced timbers and supporting local communities rather than multinationals is our aim,” Ryan elaborates. “We proudly support Bob Taylors (Taylor Guitars) ‘Ebony Project’ creating a sustainable economy from source. Our customers come to us for our personal service and advice which you can’t get through online retailers.” Guitar Store of the Year – South West Apr22698 Recently, WM Guitars was rewarded for its hard work, quality services, ethical commitment and environmental approach by being recognised in the UK Enterprise Awards 2022 and bestowed with the title of Guitar Store of the Year – South West, and Ryan is quick to sing the praises of the entire team. “We’d like to thank SME Enterprise Awards for the recognition of this award,” he enthuses. “We would like to say we couldn’t have done it without our dedicated and truly awesome team.” And the future, it seems, is looking very bright indeed as the store had plans to expand its online offering and is very much looking forward to being able to reconnect with manufacturers once again, post-Covid. Contact: Ryan Havinga Company: WM Guitars Ltd Web Address: www.wmguitars.co.uk
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