Allans Music
| Company type | Private (formerly public) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (musical instruments and accessories) |
| Predecessor | Wilkie and Webster |
| Founded | May 1850 |
| Founder | Joseph Wilkie, John Campbell Webster |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Fate | Liquidation ordered by Australian Taxation Office |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Musical instruments, accessories, sheet music |
Allans Music was an Australian chain of music retail outlets specializing in musical instruments, accessories, and sheet music. The brand transitioned to Allans Billy Hyde in 2010 but went into receivership in 2012 and again entered voluntary administration in 2018. Soon after, the Australian Taxation Office mandated its liquidation. The Billy Hyde Music name was revived in 2019 by the Dale Cleves Music Group, now a family-owned enterprise operating in South Australia and Victoria.
History
The origins of Allans date back to May 1850 when Joseph Wilkie and John Campbell Webster launched a music warehouse (Wilkie and Webster) on Collins Street in Melbourne. George Leavis Allan became part of the business in 1862 and assumed full ownership twelve years later. Initially, the store displayed the name "Wilkie, Webster & Allan." His son George joined as partner in 1881, prompting a formal rebranding to Allan & Co. By 1877, it had grown into the largest musical warehouse south of the equator, maintaining this distinction despite shifts in the industry. The company eventually evolved into Allans Music Australia Ltd.
Following acquisition by Brashs, it became Australia's leading music retail chain. After Brashs entered receivership twice, first in 1994 and again in 1998, private investors including The Roland Corporation acquired Allans Music. In 2005, ownership passed to The Brackenbury Group; by 2009, Allans operated seven physical stores—three in Victoria, two in New South Wales, and one each in Queensland and South Australia—alongside an online platform.
2012 and 2018 collapse
In 2010, Allans Music merged with Billy Hyde Music to form Australia's largest music retailer. However, on 23 August 2012, the company entered receivership. Most locations were slated for closure except for outlets in Mona Vale (NSW), Shepparton (VIC), and Darwin (NT). By November that year, the majority of Allans/Billy Hyde shops had ceased trading following liquidation on 25 November. Shortly after, on 28 November, competitor Gallins Music purchased Allans Billy Hyde’s assets and reopened key stores.
The company faced another round of voluntary administration on 20 June 2018 after significant store closures intended to streamline operations amid reported unpaid wages. On 20 July, after legal proceedings with the ATO, the Federal Court declared insolvency and ordered compulsory liquidation. Ferrier Hodgson was reinstated as administrator and liquidator while managing asset sales during liquidation.
2019 revival
Billy Hyde Music re-emerged in November 2019 with a flagship 'super store' launch in Nunawading, Victoria, followed by a second location in Marleston, South Australia. Another Victorian outlet opened at Ascot Vale in December 2023. The business is owned and run by the Cleves family, who have been active in music retail since 1964.
In 2024, the Ascot Vale store was closed and operations consolidated back to Nunawading. In February 2025, the Adelaide location was compulsorily acquired for demolition related to the North South Corridor. A clearance sale commenced with plans to relocate to the Adelaide CBD by March.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Australian music industry companies
- Retail businesses founded in 1850
- Musical instrument sellers
- Businesses closed in Australia in 2012
- Australian firms dissolved in 2018
- Australian enterprises established in 1850
- Defunct Australian retail businesses
- Australian companies disestablished in 2018