PASSERS-BY who stop to gaze through the window of one of York's newest music shops are as likely to be invited in for a cuppa as they are for a new amp.

Rock-Ola, in Walmgate, prides itself on being a little bit different, as its creators endeavour to offer a truly useful service to young musicians and bands.

"Our doors are always open to guitarists and bands of York. Whether it's for advice, a little strum on our guitars, a play on our amps, or literally a coffee and a sandwich we are a retailer with a difference," says Zak Heyes, one half of the music retailing duo also featuring Lloyd Massingham.

"Being a guitarist is a rewarding but expensive hobby and the two of us know how disheartening equipment failure can be as we are both in bands ourselves.

"We have many bands coming in asking for miracles when their amps blow or their guitars break - sometimes hours before a concert. We pride ourselves on our equipment swap policy. We will not only repair the broken equipment, we will lend an amp or guitar of equal size for the duration of the repair, for no cost."

He adds that Rock-Ola, which is in the running for Small Business and Best Retailer in the Evening Press Business of the Year Awards, repaired more than 800 guitars and amps in its first year, and takes itself seriously as a community-focused business.

Not only has it donated first prizes for competitions such as the Strung Out competition and the Leon Acoustic competition, the owners have also judged and provided equipment for events such as the Battle Of The Bands at Fibbers and the university Battle Of The Bands.

Rock-Ola, which has a new website on the way, also employs two work experience youngsters through the Trident placement scheme, and allows local bands to sell demo CDs in the shop for free with all of the proceeds going back to the bands.

"Our first year has been a testing one but we aim to build on our strengths and push further and further," says Zac.

Updated: 11:23 Tuesday, September 21, 2004