THIS year will mark the 160th in business for a retailer which has been providing the gift of music to residents.
Hickies in Friar Street is owned and run by William Elphick, the latest generation of a family which has headed up the shop for more than a century.
Mr Elphick said: “Originally it was William Hickie and his brother, who operated a tuning business out of Great Knolly’s Street.
“They moved to their current premises in Friar Street where my grandfather came to work for them in the late 1900s.
“William was looking to sell the business, by my grandfather and a friend agreed to buy it– in the last minute, however, his friend backed out.”
So he set up Hickies as a limited company: “Family and friends bought shares when he took over the business in 1913, since which it has been in our family.
“I left school in ‘76 and took a radio apprenticeship at the shop before leaving to get some experience outside of the business.
“In the meantime, Hickies decided to close the TV and radio side of the business.
“I was made redundant in the mid-80s, so I went down to Wales and set up my own business.”
William remained there for 15 years: “but it was becoming difficult to make a living through the business; things weren’t getting repaired as much.
“My brother was looking for a bit of help running Hickies, so I came back up to Reading to help him with the admin side of things.
“It was only a temporary arrangement, but that was 20 years ago now.”
While he describes the prospect as occasionally daunting, he also says that running a business in the family for generations is also a privilege.
“You never want to be the person to have to close it; my father was the same and said he wouldn’t be the one to close it, and I very much have that mindset.
“Over the years we’ve had our good times and bad times, as has everyone, but you adapt to these things.
“We’re in a far better position than we’ve ever been, so I am very optimistic about its future.”
“We were the first to sell records, 78s at least, in Reading, and now it’s a case of providing services and other things which will take us forward.”
He explained: “We also have always aimed to make music more accessible.
“I wasn’t really a musical person– I was more technical– but I had children and wanted to give them that opportunity to learn music.
“But these things can be expensive, and music is no different; you want your children to be able to learn, but without a good instrument it’s much more difficult.
“But you also don’t want to spend too much money, in case it’s really not for them.”
Hickies offers rental of instruments as well as outright sale: “It takes that risk out of the situation for parents– if they don’t like it or don’t get on with it, it can be given back.
“It’s very popular among our customers, especially for big commitments like pianos and as money continues to get tighter.
“We try to make it as successful as possible for everyone, and everyone should have that opportunity to learn.”
In recent years the venue has also opened up for events, launching its Live Lounge series of gigs.
In April 2022, the first event saw musicians from around Reading perform in the store after hours for an intimate acoustic show.
“We wanted to create a gig where musicians just starting out could perform with a small, friendly audience, and it proved very popular.
“People are always asking when the next one is, and the venue really lends itself to it: you have this amazing gallery at the top floor, which means there is plenty of space to move instruments out of the way.”
As for the future of the business, he explains: “Music is so much more than just a subject you learn, it’s there to help and to enjoy.
“It is good for the mental health of children as well as keeping you sharp as you get older.
“It’s not something we want to be closing any time soon, and we’ve got plenty in the pipeline.”
This November marks 160 years of Hickies providing instruments and services in Reading, with planning for celebrations underway.
“We’ve worked with various schools and charities before, so we’re very much looking to more things like that.
“But we’re still planning what we’re going to be doing, probably culminating in around November.
“We’re also looking to work with Reading Museum to see if we can get a sort of timeline of the store.
“So we’re seeking stories, memories, photographs– anything which might build a history of the shop.”
Full details of services and upcoming events at Hickies are available via: hickies.co.uk
