Vince Brain, 22, opened Sarum Drums in November 2025 after taking over Sarum Guitars’ drum department.
Mr Brain said: “It’s got busier every month. We’re doing more teaching as well.”
He will take Sarum Drums to Liverpool in October for the UK Drum Show, the UK’s largest drum exhibition.
Mr Brain said: “It’s the first time I’ve been to the show, but to go with the business as well is really cool.”
Over the next year, he plans to meet new suppliers, maintain the Salisbury branch and expand teaching.
He also hopes to open another shop in future.
Mr Brain said: “It’d be nice to expand and get a second location in the next sort of five to 10 years.”
Vince (middle) with mum Lisa Bradley (left) and Dom Holyoake (right) (Image: Vince Brain)
He runs lessons with colleague Dom Holyoake, letting customers learn on equipment they could later buy.
Mr Brain said customers can “have lessons on the stuff that they can then potentially buy.”
He added: “We had run out of slots for lessons, but now Dom is available and we’re ready to take more bookings.”
The previous owners sold the business to Mr Brain because of his drum expertise; he has played for 10 years and studied music at school, college and university.
Mr Brain said: “I’ve been playing drums for 10 years. I did music at school, at college, then at uni. I’m playing in about eight bands at the moment.”
He also plays with Salisbury band Blue Collar.
Christmas is the shop’s busiest period, so Mr Brain is urging gift-buyers to visit early and consider their budget and needs.
He said: “Anyone thinking about buying drums as Christmas presents, now is a good time to come in before it gets crazy. They can start thinking about it, work out what they want to spend and what they need.”
He added: “It’s about that personal service with buying a kit and supporting local business.”
The shop serves beginners, experienced players and collectors, and stocks Jerry Freeman drums for collectors.
Mr Brain also refurbishes second-hand drums, replacing broken parts and repainting them before resale.
He said: “I get them into a condition where they’re going to last a lot longer, and they’re sold at a reasonable price. It takes the hassle away from the customer, as well. I’ve got something for every budget. I’ve been doing that for years.”
The shop’s main challenge is visibility: it is upstairs from Sarum Guitars at Cross Keys, and some visitors cannot find it.
Customers can book drum lessons through the Sarum Drums website.
The shop also offers buy, sell or trade options, while customers can try kits and cymbals before deciding what to buy.
