For those who don’t know, Denmark Street, London's Tin Pan Alley, is home to half a dozen or so guitar shops. Andy’s Guitar Shop at the far end was perhaps the most famous, as it was in business seemingly for ever, but went into receivership in 2007.

The problem faced by the shop-keepers on Denmark St is the rent and business rates. Rents there are much higher  than anywhere else in central London, which is already expensive, largely because the property is owned by one individual. Think about the game Monopoly. If you own all the shops on one street you can charge what you like, and the owner certainly does like to charge. This is partly why Denmark St prices are so high and perhaps why the shops themselves are so shabby – huge overheads to meet every day and hard-nosed landlord.

There are plenty of colourful stories about Denmark St, people 'taking guitars off the wall' because they couldn't get their money, guitars being stolen from one shop and sold to another - no questions asked. The stories may or may not be true, but the street certainly has more than its fair share of characters and there's usually a buzz to the place. Pop and rock stars abound - go there, be inspired, but do be careful. (Or in the words of Pete Townshend - "Pray: We Don't Get Fooled Again").

Of course, Denmark St shops aren't all bad and we exaggerate for your entertainment. There are some beautiful guitars for sale and some very knowledgeable people working there. Indeed, our very own luthier and repair guru Graham Noden is there in his basement, underneath Andy’s old shop. ("Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Graham's business remains unchanged although the shop now has new owners.)