THE key to business success for Ben Wheeler is being in tune with his market sector in a new venture selling pianos.

Mr Wheeler, 37, has transformed a former village post office, which was most recently a tack shop for horse riders, into a piano showroom - and business is proving to be quite sharp.

Gone are the days of smashing pianos at summer fetes, as the piano is back in fashion and, so far, Mr Wheeler has hit the right note and sold 10 instruments, including one to an 81-year-old woman.

The new business is a natural progression for Mr Wheeler, who has been a piano tuner since 1991, and followed in the footsteps of his 67-year-old father Bob, a tuner for 30 years.

Mr Wheeler said: "I am currently the only piano tuner living in the Basingstoke area.

"Building on this success, I have expanded my business into piano sales with a showroom in Little London and the formation of a limited company under the name of Ben Wheeler Pianos.

"We are the only specialist piano supplier in the Basingstoke area, and early indications are promising, with an encouraging level of business in our first couple of months."

Parents are keen for their children to learn to play the piano but Mr Wheeler knows too many people who have bought bad ones.

He said: "With the new venture of the showroom we are able to offer specialist and informed advice to anyone looking to purchase a new or used piano."

Now he has invested £10,000 in his new showroom, which is stocked with a grand piano and nine uprights, with more held in storage. Prices range from about £2,000 up to £20,000.

Mr Wheeler was born in Oakley and now lives in Thyme Close, Chineham.

He is a member of the Piano Tuners Association, after training at the London College of Furniture.

But when it comes to his own skills on the keys, he said: "I'm a bit of a busker!"