Cookes Pianos and Organs, Norwich, Norfolk

About Us
Our Company began trading in the fine city of Norwich in 1887. The founder Mr Arthur William Cooke 1st actually designed and built what is believed to be one of the first 'Mini Pianos'.

Arthur William Cooke

Arthur William Cooke (seated)

original receipt

An original receipt for A. W. Cooke from 1904

The advent of the ‘electric radio set’ helped the Company to evolve and diversify, but the Piano was still the instrument everyone aspired to own.The outbreak of WW2 had a devastating effect on many companies including Cookes.
The London Piano factories were turned over to the War effort, their craftsmen building wooden aircraft frames rather than Pianos. After the War, Cookes, now under the control of Mr A.W.Cooke 2nd and his son Arthur junior used their considerable skills to recondition the older Pianos - remember it was still very difficult to obtain new ones.

Arthur junior was a determined entrepreneur and in an effort to revive the Company's fortunes began selling TV's in the 1950's and actively reconditioning Pianos. This meant a new apprentice was required and a young Bill Kilgour joined Cookes.Bill is now our M.D.

Bill Kilgour

Bill Kilgour

Managing Director

Steven Battle

Director

The 'Swinging 60's' saw the emergence of a new instrument to the U.K, 'The Hammond Organ'. Arthur Junior had the foresight to see the huge potential of this amazing instrument and became the Hammond Organ dealer for Norfolk. It's worth remembering that the price of the first Hammond Organ was equivalent to a small terraced house! The '70's' saw a period of considerable growth, Hammond Organs & Pianos were selling very well and Cookes began selling Miller Church Organs. It was at this time that Steven Battle joined the company.

The mid '80's' saw Arthur Cooke 3rd retire. Bill and Steven were determined to uphold the reputation which had been built and established over 100 years.
Since taking over the Company they have opened the 'Technics Music Academy' at Cookes and have taught literally hundreds of adults and children to play the Piano, Keyboard and Organ and introduced them to the joys of making music. They have also opened a Grand Piano Showroom and recently a dedicated Classical Organ Showroom.

As a closing thought, I wonder what our founder, Mr. Arthur Cooke, would have made of all this back in 1887 - well before mains electricity!
No doubt like us, he would be proud that the Cookes name remains synonymous with supplying quality musical instruments and service.

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