IF the mood music for his industry is playing a dark cadenza, then Paul Cunniff, managing director of Acomb Music, is not daunted.
Last year, Paul considered whether to shut his shop in Front Street, Acomb, and turn to a web-based operation. But he said: "It just wasn't right. Retailing is about being part of the community and understanding what it is that local people want."
He instead diversified into music promotion in York.
That principle is why Paul has been nominated as Business Personality Of The Year and is also pitching for the Retailer Of The Year title in The Press Business Awards 2007.
His belief in the small retailer is also expressed in his role as chairman of the York branch of the Federation of Small Businesses.
His music promotion this year meant organising concerts with local bands, resulting in an out-of-hours shop, offering supplies of strings and other goods at live music venues.
He also helped organise a series of concerts in May to raise funds for the NET Patient Foundation in memory of snooker legend Paul Hunter who died of cancer in October last year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article