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A Channel Islands success story to expands to Dubai

The School of Popular Music will set up a new venue at Expo City Dubai by April.

The School of Popular Music, or SOPM, was begun 12 years ago in Guernsey and then expanded into Jersey.

It has a different ethos around music tuition, which is less about formal learning and more about encouraging people of all ages to pick up an instrument, get together, and play.

Founder Tyler Edmonds says the expansion came about because he was making regular trips to the Gulf state:

"My brother-in-law lives in Dubai, so I've been there quite a lot over the past few years, and I think it's the perfect place to take it from here.

"We're very proud of what we do and I think Dubai will be a great fit."

Expo City Dubai is outside the city and Tyler says the space that SOPM will use has not been built yet:

"We've got work commencing on it very shortly and it will be up in no time.

"Things move really, really quickly there, whereas if it was in Guernsey it would be probably a year away but we're opening in April."

SOPM aim to employ around 10 people in Dubai, the current pre launch staffing is two.

Tyler says the Gulf state is perfect for their different approach to music:

"The place is very modern and everybody knows there's lots of wealth there.

"But when it comes to music education it's a little bit dated and what we can offer should be really successful."

SOPM is also planning an expansion of its Jersey operation.

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