Achievement of note for Aberdeen firm
piano company receives royal warrant for work at balmoral castle
Published:
AN ABERDEEN business has been given the royal seal of approval for its “grand” services and work at Balmoral Castle.
Gordon Bell Pianos, on Rosemount Viaduct, has received the Royal Warrant of Appointment in recognition of efforts to maintain the Deeside castle’s pianos.
The owner of the shop, Gordon Bell, tunes and services the four instruments at the Royal Family’s summer residence, which include a Steinway concert grand piano and a Broadwood grand piano, given to the Queen on her Silver Jubilee in 1977, after being approached by Balmoral staff.
Mr Bell said: “I had been looking after the pianos for Aberdeen Performing Arts at the Music Hall and HM Theatre, and was head-hunted from there. It was quite an honour.
“I’ve provided services and tuned the pianos at Balmoral for the last five years and now they have rewarded me with the royal seal of approval.”
The 32-year-old, who runs the shop with his brother Gavin, 35, with the help of showroom piano teacher Rosy Thubron, has received a certificate and plans to display the official coat of arms in the shop.
There are now four piano service companies in the UK which have received the Royal Warrant of Appointment.
Mr Bell said: “This is quite an achievement, I think we are one of the youngest companies in the UK to receive the warrant.”
