Matchetts Music is proud to be one of the few remaining independent, family-run businesses in Belfast city centre, celebrating its 90th year in 2026.
The doors of Matchetts Music were first opened in 1936 by Mr. Stanley Matchett on 44 Wellington Place, Belfast City Centre just five years following the invention of the electric guitar, and five years before the Belfast Blitz. We survived the Second World War, were bombed in the height of the Belfast Troubles in the 1970s and have subsequently become the last surviving Music Shop in Belfast City Centre following Covid, and this year, we are delighted to be celebrating our 90th (Granite) Anniversary!
Having narrowly survived the Blitz in 1941, unfortunately in the 1970s, Belfast was bombed again and the damage to the entire building was catastrophic, ultimately resulting in the sale of the business.
In 1979, ‘Matchetts’ was taken over and reconstructed by the Crowther family on 6 Wellington Place, which remained the site of the old Matchetts Classical Shop up until we moved beside the Rock shop in 2017.
Matchetts has been owned and directed by Derek and Anne Crowther and subsequently their children Tamara and Neil ever since 1979.
There are currently two Matchetts Music stores in Belfast, right on Wellington Place, in line with Belfast City hall, and right beside each other!
The Rock Shop was opened in 1995, at 38 Wellington Place, and specialises in guitars, drums and pro audio.
In 2003 we opened a Piano Shop at Unit 1 Bedford House, which in 2017 moved and combined with our new Classical Shop on 38 Wellington Place, right beside the Rock Shop.
This year we are delighted to be celebrating our 90th Year! Thanks for all the continued support!
An original Matchetts Music Compliment Slip:
Matchetts Christmas catalogue from 1956:
A letter about the price of strings from 1958:
Derek Crowther working in the Matchetts Office in 2001:
An original guitar headstock:
Matchetts after a bomb in 1973:
