A FAST-growing on-line musical instruments and equipment retailer which has doubled its turnover in the last two years has become the first business to move into the second phase of a new York industrial scheme.

Gear4music.com, which supplies a wide range of musical instruments and technology, has moved into more than 15,000 sq ft at the two biggest units at The Forum, York Business Park, owned by clients of F&C REIT Asset Management, in a deal brokered by property consultants King Sturge and Lawrence Hannah, York.

The business, which is already based in 12,000 sq ft premises at Great North Way, York Business Park, has expanded into units eight and nine at The Forum as demand for its products grows.

Gear4music.com, which last year won The Press Growth Business Of Then Year, has 25 staff and supplies a range of 5,000 products, from flutes and clarinets to speaker systems and software, including its own overseas-sourced brand.

Its customers include amateur and professional musicians, schools and colleges throughout the UK.

Managing director, Andrew Wass, 37, said: “Since 2006 our turnover has doubled from £3million to more than £6million and we are now starting to attract customers from Ireland, France and Spain.

“We expect our overseas sales to grow significantly so we have expanded into the new units, which have taken us from 12,000 sq ft to 27,000 sq ft adding much needed additional distribution space.

“York Business Park is a great place to be based. It is handy for the A64, convenient for customers and suppliers and on a bicycle route from central York so many of our staff can cycle to work.”

King Sturge and joint agents Lawrence Hannah, York, have leased the two units to Gear4music.com for a £6.25 per sq ft rent on a six-year lease with a three-year break clause.

The Forum has 13 units ranging from 2,999 sq ft to the biggest at 8,006 sq ft. Each unit has five per cent office space, electrically-operated sectional goods doors and dedicated parking. Amenities at York Business Park include an hotel, restaurants, a leisure club, petrol station and convenience store.