A MUSIC store founded in the year of Mozart's birth celebrates its 250th anniversary this year - and is busy looking to the future.

Banks Music has already seen a change of key in 2006, with the handover of the family firm to a new company.

Now manager James Pertwee is overseeing a range of developments and planning a special party for the shop's birthday in July.

A new rock basement has been set up with a range of electric guitars, audio equipment by Roland and music sheets with songs by The Arctic Monkeys, James Blunt and Kaiser Chiefs.

The store will also see its stock of wind, brass and string instruments increased to provide top of the range models, as well as those suitable for the beginner.

Mr Pertwee, who manages the Lendal store for the Music Sales chain, said: "We have a lot of plans, including upgrading the building, refurbishments and increasing our stock to provide more of the quality instruments.

"Banks is well known for its sheet music, is one of the largest suppliers in the country and sends shipments all over the world, and this is another area we want to expand.

"It is the store's 250th anniversary this year and I believe we must be one of the oldest music stores in the country, and possibly one of the oldest shops in York."

Mr Pertwee is organising a concert at Banks to celebrate its birthday on July 15, featuring performers playing music from the four centuries it has spanned.

"When the store was founded in 1756, it was the baroque era," he said. "Banks was specialising in harpsichords and other instruments of the period.

"There is even a replica of how the store would have looked then at the York Castle Museum.

"It carried on moving with the times during the 19th and 20th centuries and now we are stocking electric guitars and modern sound equipment, as well as a bigger range of everything from brass instruments to flutes and saxophones."

In the weeks running up to the anniversary, the store will run a range of special offers, and the following Friday, July 21, it will be sponsoring a concert at York Minster.

Mr Pertwee said: "We are supporting the York Young Soloists who run their own orchestra and are performing at the minister to raise funds for its restoration."

He has been in York for six weeks since taking over from Judith Thorpe, the last member of the Banks family to own and manage the shop.

"York is a fantastic place," said Mr Pertwee, who previously managed shops in Canterbury and London.

"It is great to be in a city where there is so much musical activity going on."

Updated: 11:43 Friday, May 19, 2006