The ukulele is back in fashion, says owner

Matt Lawless and his business partner Steve Helm opened The Uke Store in Batley – a shop dealing solely in the four-stringed instrument.

Mr Lawless said they spotted a gap in the market after they noticed more schools teaching children to play the ukulele.

“There is a specialist store in Surrey but nothing up in the north,” he said.

“The ukulele has replaced the violin or recorder as it is easy to pick up and play.

“The children can relate to it because they see musicians on The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent playing the guitar and they can pick up a ukulele and just start playing.”

The owners, who have 20 years experience in the audio industry, opened their business two years ago.

Originally based in Batley Business Park, they moved to Bradford Road in March, where their new shop features a demo room.

The company has been visiting schools in the district and also had a stall at Oakwell Festival.