MUSICAL instruments and equipment will be sold at MuzoAkademy in Cowley, following the store’s opening this weekend.

The shop shares its name with charity the 7C’s Foundation’s main programme, which uses music to enrich the quality of people’s lives.

The new venture has received full backing from Supergrass keyboard player Rob Coombes, brother of frontman Gaz.

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The band was formed in Oxford in 1993 and is embarking on a tour next year but Mr Coombes has found the time to support the cause.

He said: “I’d like to give this venture a big thumbs up.

“I’ve spent some time with these guys and seen the service to their community.”

Supergrass are an Ivor Novello, Q and BRIT award winning Britpop band, whose 2020 tour begins in Paris next February, before finishing in New York in April.

The band had six Top 10 albums and ten Top 20 singles, before splitting in 2010.

Mr Coombes joined the band in 2002.

“Hardly a day goes by when there isn’t new research emerging about the huge benefit of music and the way it enhances and improves the quality of people’s lives,” said Easy Chalmers, who is overseeing the new enterprise.

“I’m grateful I work for an organisation where I get to see this in action first hand,” Mr Chalmers added.

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The opportunity for the shop came about from Community Spaces, an organisation which supports charities, community organisations and small businesses.

The organisation sources spaces to fundraise, raise awareness and launch new enterprises.

Jon Berry, chairman of trustees for the 7C’s Foundation, said: “We are so excited to be able to launch this unique provision in Oxfordshire.

“We aim to remove the barriers which prevent people from experiencing the benefits of music and, for some, the cost of instruments and equipment is prohibitive.

“We hope this shop will make music more accessible for all.

“We are extremely grateful to Rob for his passionate support, Community Spaces for finding and securing the premises, and to Templars Square for all their help.”

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The 7C’s Foundation hopes the shop will be a benefit to the Oxfordshire music community, whilst raising funds for their core services, outreach work and bursaries.

The charity currently relies on support from contributions from the community and students paying a membership fee to deliver its service.

However, with the opening of the new charity store, the group hope that they can bring in lots of extra funding.

The original MuzoAkademy does band workshops, video editing lessons, performances and events from its base in Witney.

They left the Rock Barn in Witney Market Square and moved into the Eagle Industrial Estate earlier this year following a long battle to stay at their former premises.

The new shop can be found in Templars Square Shopping Centre.