PS Pianos: we talk to Paisley’s piano man, Peter Smith

Laura Young talks to Peter Smith, the man behind PS Pianos and gets the story of its longevity

Paisley’s streets hum with the rhythm of everyday life. Buses hiss like brushed cymbals, footsteps tap out a steady beat along well-trodden pavements, and conversations rise and fall like crescendos in a bustling urban score.

But, wander down Canal Street and the melody changes. There, nestled between more modern façades, sits a little red shop that plays an altogether different tune.

PS Pianos, run by local stalwart Peter Smith, has been the town’s melodic heartbeat for more than three decades. From the outside, the modest sign suggests a typical second-hand store.

Step through the doorway, however, and the noise of the street fades into a warm hush. Rows of perfectly polished acoustic pianos line the walls like gleaming instruments awaiting their orchestra, each resonating with possibility.

Upon entering, Peter welcomed me warmly with his trademark charming smile through the maze of pianos to a comfortable chair and a hot cup of tea. There, we discussed his journey and career as the conductor of this enterprise.

His roots in the business run deep: his father first set the tempo for the family shop, instilling in Peter the values of integrity, strong professional relationships, and hard work that continues to underscore every aspect of the business today.

PS Pianos, photo ©Mill Magazine

“I would spend my summers behind the counter,” Peter recalls. “You didn’t think anything of it. It was just what you did.”

What began as childhood summers in the shop has blossomed into a lifelong vocation. Peter took the helm after his father’s passing, and honoured his dad by keeping the ethos of the shop – even though he changed the address.

Peter’s shop specialises in tuning, refurbishing, selling and delivering acoustic pianos, bringing a much-needed service to the people of Paisley, and beyond.

His ethos has also inspired the next generation. His son, Daniel, has inherited the family’s work ethic and runs another beloved Paisley business, Roasters. “Integrity is important to me,” Peter says.

“That’s what I tell my son. If you put the work in, are honest with people, treat them well, it will come back to you in great ways.”

PS Pianos, photo ©Mill Magazine

PS Pianos occupies a unique place in Scotland’s musical landscape. It is the country’s only specialist shop dedicated to second-hand acoustic pianos. That niche has allowed Peter to carve out a space no one else can quite replicate.

He has built a business that relies not on flashy marketing campaigns, but on something far more powerful: reputation.

Word of mouth has been his primary refrain, carrying his name and his shop far beyond Paisley. His customers range from first-time buyers to seasoned performers – and even the famous.

Among them is local superstar Paulo Nutini, who’s popped in for instruments, a chat, and to borrow some books. One piano, he recalled, sold for thousands of pounds. That sale was based purely on Peter’s trusted word.

His commitment to excellence is clear the moment you step inside. Each acoustic piano is only allowed to leave the shop when it is in perfect condition.

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“Your customers can’t see inside it. They don’t know if it’s working properly. So being honest with them, and giving them quality, is important to me.”

The precision in his work, and his endearingly straightforward attitude, are no doubt two reasons people speak highly of him – and the shop.

Ask Peter about his favourite memories, and his face lights up. However, one story stands out above others like a soloist in a concerto.

“Years ago, a young girl of around eleven began visiting the shop regularly. She would wander among the instruments, running her fingers along their polished keys, dreaming.

“Eventually, she returned with a parade of relatives and her hard-earned paper-round money in hand. Although she was a bit short of the price.”

Peter didn’t hesitate. “We gave her one,” he says simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Photo ©Mill Magazine

Years later, the same young woman walked back into the shop. Now a qualified music teacher preparing to move to Australia, she came to thank Peter for his kindness. That gift had helped shape her future.

“The best stories,” Peter says, “are the ones where you make a difference.”

And make a difference he does. Beyond selling and restoring instruments, Peter is a representative for ABRSM – the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music – helping to set up exam venues for budding pianists across the region.

His work ensures that young musicians have the opportunity to take their exams locally, keeping the musical tradition alive.

In a time when town centres across the UK have seen businesses come and go, PS Pianos stands like a steady metronome; reliable, resonant, and utterly timeless.

While online marketplaces and mass-produced keyboards have flooded the industry, Peter has stayed true to his craft: acoustic pianos, lovingly refurbished and restored, delivered to homes and halls where they’ll make music for decades to come.

Photo ©Mill Magazine

He’s not shy in giving a hand to the locals of Paisley, either. As a town with a proud musical heritage, Paisley thrives on the power of performance, and Peter has played a pivotal role in sustaining that tradition.

Over the years, he has supplied pianos for concerts, festivals, school productions, and community events, ensuring that music continues to resonate through the town’s halls and streets.

The little red shop draws in customers from teachers to enthusiasts, all looking for high quality that can only be provided by one place, PS Pianos.

Their reputation carries far beyond Paisley, with customers coming from the Highlands to the north of England in search of the high standards that Peter provides.

“It’s a hard life,” Peter says, “but a good one. We bring a lot of pleasure to people.”

That honesty and care are palpable in every aspect of the shop. There’s no hard sell here, no glossy marketing gimmicks – just craftsmanship, community, and a shared love of music.

PS Pianos, 3 Canal Street, Paisley, PA1 2HD, 0141 848 6500.