A south London accordion shop used by some of the world’s biggest bands is to close after almost half a century.
The Allodi Accordions shop in Lewisham is an internationally recognised restorer of the instrument.
The likes of Sir Paul McCartney and Sheryl Crow have used its instruments embossed with the Allodi surname.
Emilio Allodi, 70, has been running Allodi Accordions Ltd on Lee High Road, Lewisham for 46 years but is now ready to close its doors.
He said: “I’ve been minding this store for so long now. [The work has] taken its toll on my fingers and has put a strain on my hands. So it’s a matter of, do I keep going forever.
“Another thing is that it would be nice to do some travelling with my family and wife Kim. I’m still doing everything to do with accordions, even on days the shop is not running.”
Mr Allodi has been immersed in the musical world since his childhood, when he and his brother Claudio were first taught to play accordions before they went on to do so professionally.
He recalled his father, Bruno, being a “top accordionist” from where he played the instrument near Parma, Italy before arriving to the UK in the early 1950s.
After working closely beside his father and immersing himself in the accordion world, Mr Allodi had opened the second branch of Allodi Accordions. He had also taught others to play the instrument for some 20 years.
Thanks to his continuation of the family name, it has reached international heights and members of some of the world’s most popular bands.
“I might be watching the TV one night and go, oh hang on, I’ve just sold that accordion to the member of that band.” he said.
“I’m proud to have been musically involved when it comes to some of these musicians I really admire.
“I just happened to be repairing Paul McCartney’s accordion recently,” he added.
Mr Allodi, who’s favourite part of his job has been interacting with and being useful to so many musicians, is to close his shop this Christmas.
The 200 accordions he has left in stock are to be stored in a heated outbuilding at his house.
