Royal Mail and Deliveries Update
Postal Deliveries
Due to the ongoing strikes Royal Mail are experiencing delays. Please be aware that normal 1st class may take longer than usual in some areas. We have been informed that Royal Mail do have staff shortages due to sickness and any postal delays are also not helped by the increased volume of post and packages being sent currently. If you need an order urgently, it may be better to select tracked or next day delivery.
Any parcels which require guaranteed delivery can sent Next Working Day by selecting DPD at checkout. Please remember that we can only offer Next Day delivery on items which are already in stock and only on working business days. If you are unsure about whether your item can be ordered for next day delivery, please phone your local branch for more information.
Opening Hours
Barbican Chimes Tel: +44(0)20 7588 9242
Monday to Friday 10am-5:30pm
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday: closed
Kensington Chimes Tel: +44(0)20 7589 9054
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17.30
Saturday 09:00-17.30
Sunday 12-5pm
Academy Chimes will remain closed. If you have an outstanding order with Academy, please get in touch with either Kensington or Barbican and we will arrange an alternative delivery.
Safety Precautions
We take the safety of our customers & staff very seriously – we are still implementing a variety of precautions including the following:
- regular cleaning of surfaces, card machines & tills
- encouraging customers sanitise hands before browsing the shelves
- encouraging all customers wear a face covering
Thank you for your help in keeping our stores safe!
Placing an Order
Click & Collect
Click & Collect is available from Barbican & Kensington during their opening hours. Orders can be placed & paid for on our website – you will be contacted once your order is ready, meaning the stock is guaranteed and you will not have to wait or browse.
Delivery:
Orders for delivery can be placed by email, over the phone or on our website!
Delivery Considerations
What if the item I want isn’t currently in stock?
Our suppliers are still open and most items are fairly quick to arrive. It is possible that some smaller European distributors will be slower or more expensive due to Brexit concerns.
Can I still get my discount?
Of course! Our usual 10% professional/student/teacher discount is still available through our website and will also be available when the shop opens again, both instore and on the phone. You can register here – all discounts have to be manually approved so there may be a small delay.
If you need your music faster…
You can choose the option on the website or when ordering from the shops to have your order sent to you by DPD for next day delivery (as long as we have the items in stock). Alternatively, our Click and Collect options are a quick way for you to receive your orders.
Rental Instruments
We are continuing to run our popular rental scheme, however, we are currently operating with more saftey measures. We request that all instrument hires be arranged ahead of time over the phone or online so that customers are not waiting in-store to complete paperwork. It is also best to ensure the instrument you require is in stock before you come!
New Hires: All new instrument hires can be fully arranged over the phone! We will need to know exactly what make and size of instrument you require – your contract will be completed and paid over the phone. Instruments can be collected from either of our shops. Unfortunately we can’t offer any in-person testing or sizing up of the instruments.
Instrument Exchange: If you need to exchange your current instrument for a different size, simply contact your local branch to reserve an instrument of the correct size. Once we have confirmed that your instrument is in stock, it can be collected in person during business hours.
Rental Returns: Any rentals can be returned during business hours – we request that you ring ahead to let us know you’re coming!
Repairs are still possible. We can do minor repairs in the shops e.g. string changes but if it’s something more than that, we have a repairer who comes on site to collect wind, brass and string instruments once a week and returns them the following week. If you have queries, contact your local branch and we will do what we can to help!
If you need anything else, you can get in touch:
Barbican Chimes
020 7588 9242/ 07851 013702
Kensington Chimes
020 7589 9054
For web orders or online enquiries: support@chimesmusic.com
Chimes Team