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The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops: Asia Pacific’s Notable Winners

Four Coffee Shops from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia Ranked in Top 10


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – The second edition of THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet announced its global rankings at CoffeeFest Madrid 2026, revealing a reshaped coffee landscape for the Asia Pacific region.

Winners of The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops

This definitive list of the world’s best specialty coffee shops saw Australia deepening its leadership with seven coffee shops in the global ranking, Taiwan with four, returning favourites such as Singapore’s Apartment Coffee maintaining its 2025 ranking, and Malaysia’s Story of Ono climb one level up.

Australian newcomer Only Coffee Project Crows Nest clinched 4th position followed by Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters in 5th. Returning to the list were Proud Mary Coffee and Coffee Anthology, joined by newcomers Beta Coffee and Single O. The blend of returning icons and new entrants underlines Australia’s ongoing influence on global café standards.

In Asia, Apartment Coffee in Singapore and Story of Ono in Malaysia took 6th and 8th place respectively, with The Republic of South Korea, Japan, China, and The Philippines securing placements in this year’s Top 100 rankings.

See the full list at The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops

The list confirms the emergence of new global capitals of quality coffee, as well as the consolidation of an increasingly diverse and innovative international coffee community that includes The United States, which leads the ranking with nine selected coffee shops, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.

“Congratulations to all 100 ranked coffee shops. The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet is the global benchmark celebrating the cafés shaping the future of coffee, and as a leading beverage solutions brand, DaVinci Gourmet is proud to stand alongside it as the global title partner,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

A GLOBAL EVALUATION PROCESS

The ranking is produced through a mixed system combining the evaluation of more than 800 professional judges from all continents with public voting, which exceeded 350,000 votes in this edition. In total, more than 15,000 coffee shops worldwide were analysed.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE IN COFFEE

A benchmark for the industry and professionals, The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops aims to highlight coffee shops that not only serve exceptional coffee but also create unique coffee experiences.

As Global and Title Partner of the 2026 edition, and together with initiatives like the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship, DaVinci Gourmet remains committed to championing global beverage artistry and café culture.

Hashtag: #TheWorlds100BestCoffeeShop #DaVinciGourmet

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DaVinci Gourmet

DaVinci Gourmet is a global beverage brand that emphasizes innovation and sustainability while offering beverage solutions for the Foodservice channels. At DaVinci Gourmet, our passion for coffee is at the heart of everything we do. We provide a vibrant palette of authentic flavors crafted from the highest quality ingredients, empowering drink artists to create their next masterpieces.

M31 Validates MIPI M-PHY v5.0 IP on 4nm, Advances 3nm Development to Enable UFS 4.1 Applications

HSINCHU, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — M31 Technology (M31), a global leader in silicon intellectual property (IP), today announced that the silicon-proven MIPI M-PHY v5.0 IP has been validated on an advanced 4nm process node and is actively advancing development toward the 3nm node. This milestone demonstrates M31’s core technical capability to enable UFS 4.1 (Universal Flash Storage) through a comprehensive high-speed storage interface solution, addressing the growing performance demands of flagship smartphones, automotive smart cockpits, and AI edge computing devices.

As AI and autonomous driving technologies continue to advance at a rapid pace, end devices are experiencing exponential growth in demand for data throughput. The MIPI M-PHY v5.0 IP introduced by M31 strictly complies with MIPI Alliance specifications and delivers per-lane data rates of up to 23.32Gbps in HS-G5 (High Speed Gear 5) mode—doubling the performance of the previous HS-G4 generation. The IP integrates adaptive equalization (Adaptive EQ) and multi-amplitude signaling support, ensuring excellent signal integrity and a low bit error rate (BER) even at high data rates. In addition, an optimized hibernate mode effectively extends battery life in end devices, achieving an optimal balance between high performance and low power consumption.

To further accelerate SoC development cycles, M31 has built a comprehensive UFS solution. In addition to the physical layer (PHY), the solution integrates a JEDEC-compliant UFSHCI v4.1 controller IP and a UniPro control layer IP. This one-stop solution significantly reduces integration complexity and incorporates ISO 26262 functional safety design processes and certification, meeting the requirements of automotive and high-reliability end applications.

“In the wave of AI deployment and automotive intelligence, M31 leverages its deep expertise in high-speed interface IP to deliver silicon-proven M-PHY v5.0 performance on 4nm,” said Jerome Hung, Vice President of RD at M31. “By combining this with a fully integrated UFS 4.1 controller solution, we continue to expand our presence in advanced process technologies and automotive safety standards, positioning M31 as a trusted technology partner for next-generation high-speed storage platforms.”

Gemtek Unveils Wi-Fi 8 Vision at MWC 2026, Advancing Intelligent, AI-Driven Connectivity

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Gemtek today unveiled its next-generation broadband strategy centered on Wi-Fi 8, positioning the new standard as a foundational technology for AI-driven, service-oriented networks. The announcement underscores Gemtek’s commitment to supporting service providers as the industry transitions from bandwidth-focused connectivity to intelligent, experience-driven networking.

Gemtek promotes its AI-powered network solutions at MWC 2026 with a focus on intelligent connectivity and advanced technologies such as Wi-Fi 8 and Edge AI
Gemtek promotes its AI-powered network solutions at MWC 2026 with a focus on intelligent connectivity and advanced technologies such as Wi-Fi 8 and Edge AI

Under the theme “From Speed to Intelligence,” Gemtek demonstrated the integration of Wi-Fi 8, WoMT (Wi-Fi over mmWave Technology), Edge AI, and the AI OSM (Open Standard Module) platform. Together, these technologies transform broadband infrastructure into an intelligent network platform capable of real-time awareness, adaptive optimization, and service enablement for operators and enterprises.

Gemtek’s Wi-Fi 8 solutions deliver deterministic low latency, carrier-grade reliability, multi-AP coordination, and AI-assisted optimization, enabling support for immersive applications, real-time AI interaction, and large-scale residential and enterprise deployments.

To address growing global demand for cost-efficient, high-capacity Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Gemtek introduced its WoMT solution, which extends Wi-Fi 7 baseband technology into the 5G FR2 mmWave spectrum, enabling multi-gigabit throughput while alleviating congestion in the FR1 spectrum. In addition, WoMT serves as a cost-effective alternative for cellular tower backhaul deployments.

At the network edge, Gemtek’s AI Gateways and Routers embed AI compute capabilities directly into customer premises equipment (CPE), enabling low-latency, on-device AI services, enhanced data privacy, and reduced dependency on centralized cloud resources. Through the deep integration of Wi-Fi 8, WoMT, Edge AI, and AI OSM, Gemtek enables service providers to evolve from traditional connectivity providers into AI service enablers, accelerating the industry’s shift toward intelligent, scalable, and service-centric broadband networks.

Gemtek cordially invites industry partners, customers, and media representatives to visit MWC 2026, Hall 5, Stand E11, to experience firsthand its next-generation Wi-Fi 8 and AI-powered intelligent connectivity solutions.

BUMA Secures Contract with Adaro for South Tutupan Mine through 2030

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama (“BUMA”), the principal subsidiary of PT BUMA Internasional Grup Tbk (IDX: DOID; “BUMA International Group”), today announced a long-term contract with PT Adaro Indonesia (“Adaro”). The contract, effective from April 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030, secures BUMA’s operations at the South Tutupan Mine in Tanjung Tabalong, South Kalimantan.

Under the contract, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, BUMA is expected to deliver around 239 million bank cubic meters (bcm) of overburden removal and 44 million tonnes of coal, equivalent to average annual volumes of 50.5 million bcm and 9.3 million tonnes, respectively. The contract reinforces BUMA’s long-standing partnership spanning over 20 years with Adaro, while strengthening the Group’s contracted revenue base and long-term earnings visibility.

Ronald Sutardja, President Director of PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama, stated, “We are pleased to announce this significant contract with Adaro Indonesia, one of our valued long-term partners. The contract is a testament to BUMA’s consistent operational delivery and our ability to manage technically complex mining operations safely and reliably. It strengthens our contracted earnings visibility and reinforces our position as Indonesia’s trusted mining services partner.”

In parallel with its operational activities, BUMA is deeply committed to empowering local communities in the Tabalong through programs focusing on education, health, environmental protection, and socio-cultural initiatives. Key initiatives include the JIKAMAKA computer skills workshop, Youth Broadcasting Class for creative industry development, the Kampung Iklim environmental program, and support for local small and medium enterprises (UMKM).

These efforts have earned recognition from the South Kalimantan Provincial Government for environmental contributions, appreciation from the Tabalong Regent for advancing the Adipura initiative and UMKM development, as well as commendation from the Tabalong Youth Community and the Regent for consistent support of youth and community development programs.

“Our partnership with Adaro Indonesia extends beyond operational delivery to creating shared value for local communities. We are proud of the positive social impact we have created together and will continue investing in the community’s long-term prosperity,” Ronald concluded.

About PT BUMA Internasional Grup Tbk (BUMA International Group)

Established in 1990, PT BUMA Internasional Grup Tbk (BUMA International Group) is a globally diversified mining holding company with operations across Indonesia, Australia, and the United States. The Group operates under four key business pillars: Mining Services, Mine Ownership, Social Enterprise, and Technology.

At the core of its Mining Services operations is PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama (BUMA), one of the largest mining services providers in Indonesia and Australia (operating under its fully owned subsidiary, BUMA Australia Pty Ltd). The Group transformed its business as a mine owner in 2024 with the acquisition of Atlantic Carbon Group, Inc. (ACG), positioning itself as the leading producer of ultra-high-grade anthracite in the United States.

Expanding its diversification, the Group entered the future-facing commodities sector in 2024 by acquiring a stake in 29Metals Limited, an Australian-based copper and base metals mining company. The Group’s other portfolios include PT Bukit Teknologi Digital (BTech), focusing on developing deep learning technologies aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, reducing emissions, and minimizing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risks, and PT BISA Ruang Nuswantara (BIRU), a social enterprise dedicated to education, vocational training, and promoting a circular economy.

Headquartered in Jakarta, BUMA International Group is publicly listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX: DOID) and employs over 12,000 people worldwide. In June 2025, the company was once again recognized among the Top 200 in the FORTUNE Southeast Asia 500, underscoring its position as one of the region’s largest companies by revenue.

About PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama (BUMA)

BUMA was established in 1998, is the second largest coal mining services contractor in Indonesia by production volume, providing mining services to some of the largest coal producers in Indonesia. BUMA is a subsidiary of PT BUMA Internasional Grup Tbk (BUMA International Group) which is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange board (IDX Code: DOID). BUMA is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Tim Hortons® Singapore Marks Major Milestone with Official MUIS Halal Certification Ahead of the Festive Season

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – Tim Hortons® Singapore is pleased to announce that it has officially received Halal certification from the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) across all its existing restaurants islandwide. This significant milestone arrives at a momentous time, as the brand prepares to join the local community in celebrating the upcoming Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr festivities.

The attainment of the MUIS Halal mark, a global gold standard in Halal assurance, reaffirms Tim Hortons’ commitment to making its offering available to everyone. Since its debut in Singapore, the iconic Canadian coffee house has been a neighbourhood destination for all. With this certification, the brand’s full suite of signature coffee, iced beverages, sandwiches, and freshly baked treats is now accessible to the Muslim community, offering a new destination for family gatherings.

Fostering Connection in Singapore’s Multicultural Landscape

In Singapore’s unique multicultural landscape, dining is more than just a meal, it is a bridge between cultures. By securing official MUIS certification, Tim Hortons® strengthens its promise to provide a welcoming environment where every guest can gather with absolute peace of mind.

At Tim Hortons, we believe the best experiences are those that bring people together. Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr are seasons defined by reflection, gratitude, and the spirit of sharing. We are honoured to receive this certification at such a meaningful time, allowing Tims to be a part of our guests’ festive traditions. Whether it is a cozy spot for Iftar or sharing our signature treats during Eid visits, we are delighted to be a part of your celebrations.

Elevating the Festive Table: An Expanded Range of Offerings

With the MUIS Halal seal, guests can now explore the full breadth of the Tim Hortons® menu, featuring a diverse array of flavours suited for both daily indulgence and festive hosting:

  • Hearty Iftar Options: For those looking to break their fast with a satisfying meal, our Signature Grilled Sandwiches, including the fan-favourite Pesto Chicken and the iconic Montreal Beef Pastrami, provide a warm and wholesome option.
  • The Ultimate Festive Treats: Our world-famous Timbits® and handcrafted Assorted Donut boxes are the perfect addition to any festive spread. These bite-sized treats are

ideal for sharing during family gatherings and as gifts when visiting loved ones during communal Iftar gatherings and during the Hari Raya season.

  • Handcrafted Beverages: Guests can enjoy our 100% Premium Arabica coffee, including the legendary Maple Cinnamon Latte and the Montreal Latte, as well as our signature Frappe Iced Beverages (Iced Capps®) and a variety of espresso-based lattes and non- caffeinated refreshing drinks, all prepared under strict Halal-certified protocols.
  • Savory Selection: The menu also features a range of made-to-order sandwiches, bagels and bakes, offering a variety of fresh and flavourful choices for any time of day.
Uncompromising Standards of Quality and Integrity

The journey to MUIS Halal certification involved a comprehensive and rigorous audit of the entire Tim Hortons® operational ecosystem. This included a meticulous review of the supply chain, ingredient sourcing, and kitchen preparation processes. This achievement ensures that the high-quality standards Tim Hortons® is known for globally, are harmonized with the stringent religious and food safety requirements of MUIS.

A Commitment to Future Growth

As Tim Hortons® continues to expand its footprint across Singapore, where it currently operates 17 stores, this certification is a pillar for all future outlets. The brand looks forward to opening more doors across the island, ensuring that the “Tims” experience remains accessible to all Singaporeans.

Hashtag: #TimHortons




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Tim Hortons®

Tim Hortons® is one of the world’s renowned restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded in 1964, Tim Hortons® appeals to a broad range of guest tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, teas, and our famous Iced Capp® Beverages), baked goods, hot breakfast sandwiches, breakfast snacking items, and other food products. Tim Hortons® has more than 6,000 restaurants around the world.
Tim Hortons in Singapore operates under the management of MGCA Cafe, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese general trading and investment conglomerate”

LSBF Singapore Campus Secures Asia-Pacific Stevie® Award for the Third Consecutive Year

SINGAPORE, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) Singapore Campus has once again earned regional acclaim, clinching the Bronze Stevie® Award at the 13th Annual Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards for the third consecutive year.

Recognised under the category “Award for Excellence in Innovation in Education – Organisations with up to 100 Employees,” LSBF’s win cements its standing as one of Singapore’s most agile and industry-driven private education institutions.

This year’s award-winning submission, “Innovating Education Through Integrated Expansion and Industry Collaboration,” spotlighted LSBF’s bold strategy to integrate academic excellence with strong corporate alliances and rapid programme innovation—positioning students at the forefront of workforce transformation.

Strategic Expansion Backed by Industry Leaders

Over the past year, LSBF accelerated its growth through high-impact collaborations with organisations such as Grab, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), and leading Big 4 accounting firms, strengthening real-world exposure and professional pathways for students.

The Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards recognise workplace innovation across 29 nations, honouring organisations that demonstrate measurable impact and forward-thinking leadership.

LSBF’s three-year winning streak reflects more than consistency—it signals resilience, adaptability, and sustained excellence within a highly competitive regional education landscape.

“Winning the Asia-Pacific Stevie® Award for the third consecutive year is a defining milestone for LSBF,” said Miko Chng, Associate Director of Domestic Sales and Marketing, LSBF Singapore Campus. “This recognition validates our strategic direction—where education is not delivered in isolation, but in collaboration with industry.

Our ability to move swiftly, build meaningful partnerships, and launch market-relevant programmes has allowed us to create measurable impact for both students and corporate partners.”

Transforming Lives Through Education

From globally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to professional certifications and executive development programmes, LSBF continues to align its offerings with digital, regulatory evolution, and Singapore’s national upskilling agenda.

Guided by its brand promise, “Transforming Lives Through Education,” LSBF continues to redefine learning through industry-connected, globally relevant, and impact-driven programmes—ensuring its graduates are not merely qualified, but confidently future-ready.

About LSBF

The London School of Business & Finance (LSBF), founded in 2003 and a member of the Global University System (GUS), serves over 25,000 students across more than 40 countries. With campuses in key cities including the UK, Singapore, and Malaysia, LSBF has expanded its international footprint, particularly in Asia. LSBF Singapore campus offers over 100 programmes in business, finance, law, hospitality, and technology, and collaborate with reputable universities to provide internationally recognised qualifications. LSBF holds EduTrust certification, partners with organizations like Grab, Deloitte and ISCA, and is an ACCA Approved Learning Partner. In recognition of its future-focused approach to education, LSBF was honoured with the Singapore Business Review’s International Business Award in Education for two consecutive years – 2024 and 2025. These accolades reaffirm LSBF’s commitment to delivering quality, industry-aligned education that empowers aspiring professionals globally.

Delta Electronics Philippines Partners with Danao City Government to Advance EV Charging Infrastructure Across Cebu Province

DANAO CITY, Philippines, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Electronics, a global leader in power management and smart green solutions, today announced its participation in the Driving Sustainable Transport: Exploration for Danao City EV Charging Station initiative, in partnership with the Danao City Government. The project was formally launched on February 3, 2026, at The Boardwalk in Danao City, Cebu, supporting the Philippines’ national Build Better More agenda and its push for sustainable transport and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Delta Electronics Philippines Partners with Danao City Government to Advance EV Charging Infrastructure Across Cebu Province
Delta Electronics Philippines Partners with Danao City Government to Advance EV Charging Infrastructure Across Cebu Province

The launch was attended by the City Mayor of Danao, members of the City Council, Delta Electronics, CET Technologies, as well as local stakeholders, emphasizing strong collaboration between national and local governments and the private sector.

“This initiative directly supports our vision for modern, resilient, and environmentally responsible cities. By investing in Electronic Vehicle infrastructure today, we are positioning our city to contribute to long-term economic growth, energy efficiency, and improved quality of life for the people of Danao.” said Danao City Mayor Ramon ‘Nito’ Durano III.  

Vince Del Mundo, Country Manager, Delta Electronics Philippines, said: “This project reflects Delta’s commitment to supporting the Philippines’ transition to cleaner and more resilient transport infrastructure. By working closely with Danao City and our partners, we aim to deliver EV charging solutions that are standards-compliant, climate-ready, and scalable, helping local governments meet national sustainability goals while building long-term value for their communities.”

As part of the initiative, Delta will deploy its DC Wallbox 25kW DC fast charger and AC Max 22kW EV charging solution, supporting a wide range of vehicles including e-buses, e-trikes, motorcycles, and passenger electric cars. Located at a central government site, the installation enables reliable charging access for both public and private EV users.

Delta’s AC chargers deliver reliable, efficient EV charging with power outputs ranging from 7 kW to 22 kW, ensuring fast and convenient charging for various electric vehicles. Designed for versatility, they support global charging interfaces and feature intelligent user authorization for secure access. Their compact form factor makes installation seamless, whether in residential driveways or bustling commercial hubs.

Delta’s dual output DC Wallbox advances EV compatibility at public charging sites. Its wall-mounted and modular design ensures cost-efficient installation and lifecycle maintenance. It also features built-in network connectivity for authentication and remote-control applications.

To date, Delta has deployed over 3 million EV chargers worldwide, supported by its own R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance capabilities. Delta works closely with top-tier automotive and infrastructure partners to deliver safe, standards-compliant EV charging solutions at scale.

Standards-Compliant and Climate-Ready

The project complies fully with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (RA 11697) and Department of Energy standards, enabling Danao City to meet its requirements for EV-ready infrastructure and designated Green Slots.

Furthermore, Delta’s IP-rated, weather-resistant charging solutions are engineered for Philippine operating conditions and high public utilisation, ensuring long-term reliability and compatibility with multiple EV types.

Community Impact and Future Expansion

With this installation, Danao City Hall becomes one of the first government centers in Northern Cebu to offer public-access EV charging, supporting electric public transport, lowering operating costs for EV users, and contributing to cleaner urban environments.

The project marks Delta Electronics’ first Smart City initiative with the Danao City Government and establishes a foundation for a long-term partnership to expand green mobility and smart energy solutions as demand grows.

ABOUT DELTA
Delta, founded in 1971, and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (code:2308), is a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a thriving portfolio of IoT-based smart energy-saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data center infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display, to nurture the development of smart manufacturing and sustainable cities. As a world-class corporate citizen guided by its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta leverages its core competence in high-efficiency power electronics and its ESG-embedded business model to address key environmental issues, such as climate change. Delta serves customers through its sales offices, R&D centers and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across 5 continents.

Throughout its history, Delta has received various global awards and recognition for its business achievements, innovative technologies and dedication to ESG. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index (formerly the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices) for 14 consecutive years. Delta has also won CDP with double A List for 4 times for its substantial contribution to climate change and water security issues and has been named Supplier Engagement Leader for its continuous development of a sustainable value chain for 8 consecutive years.

For detailed information about Delta, please visit: www.deltaww.com

Denmark Street Icon Regent Sounds, Announces Exclusive Online Sale of T-Bone Walker’s Legendary 1949 Gibson ES-5N: “The Guitar That Started It All” on Reverb

LONDON, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The newly reopened Regent Sounds guitar shop on Denmark Street will mark the launch of its new Vintage Lounge with an exclusive online auction of T-Bone Walker’s legendary 1949 Gibson ES-5N: “the guitar that started it all”.

T-Bone Walker's 1949 Gibson ES-5N
T-Bone Walker’s 1949 Gibson ES-5N

The special five-week event runs from 23 February to 31 March on Reverb – the world’s largest online marketplace for musical instruments.

Bringing together rock and roll legends, collectors and industry insiders, the event will celebrate the history of Regent Sounds by writing a new chapter in guitar history.

T-Bone Walker’s legendary Gibson ES-5N is widely acclaimed as one of the most valuable and historically important musical instruments in existence, due to its extreme rarity, documented provenance, historical significance, and unique 77-year journey.

The guitar is being sold by way of closed bidding exclusively on Reverb with Regent Sounds inviting starting bids / OIRO £1,500,000.

Accompanying T-Bone over the course of almost two decades, “the guitar that started it all” was one of only 22 built that year and marked a dramatic turning point in the development of the electric guitar and the history of music.

Widely acknowledged by many as the ultimate guitarist’s guitarist, T-Bone’s innovative playing style, techniques and licks influenced countless musicians that followed him from Chuck Berry and B.B.King, to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Greg Allman and Steve Miller.

The tie-up with Reverb for the sale of such a legendary guitar to a global audience marks another significant step in both Regent Sounds’ triumphant comeback and the ongoing regeneration of Denmark Street.

The guitar will be on public display and also available for close inspection by appointment at Regent Sounds for the duration of the event.

Regent Sounds recording studios were famously used by The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Brian May, David Bowie, Elton John, The Kinks, Genesis and many others from the 60s to the early 80s.

Well-known tracks recorded at Regent Sounds recording studios include Fixing a Hole by The Beatles in 1967, a key track on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Not Fade Away, an early single from The Rolling Stones’ debut album.

In more recent years, long-term uncertainty about its future had left the shop in a state of flux. Now, with the original space fully reintegrated, the shop has quadrupled in size – with the addition of the high-end Rare and Vintage Guitar Lounge and three soundproof booths for musicians to try out instruments on the shop floor, Regent Sounds is bringing music back to the British “Tin Pan Alley”, Denmark Street.

Jim Tuerk, Reverb’s VP of Marketing, said: “This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of music history, T-Bone Walker’s influence on the evolution of blues into modern rock can’t be overstated, and this guitar was a leading character in that story. Reverb exists to help guitars and other gear get second, third, and fourth lives, and it’s fitting that Regent Sounds – which is legendary in its own right – is the shop to give this guitar its next home.”

Tony Bacon, author of ELECTRIC BLUES! T-Bone Walker & The Guitar That Started It All, said: “Without T-Bone Walker’s genius and virtuosity, it’s unlikely we would have had the proliferation of rock and roll from artists like the Rolling Stones or Jimi Hendrix, whose footsteps make Regent Sounds such sacred ground for music fans.”

Crispin Weir, co-owner of Regent Sounds, said: “Regent Sounds has always been a mecca for music fans because of our rich history. But the recent expansion of the shop across two floors, the opening of the Vintage Lounge, and addition of our soundproof booths mean that we have an even brighter future ahead. The sale of T-Bone’s legendary ‘guitar that started it all’ and tie-up with Reverb are just the beginning.”

Notes to Editors

Press Enquiries: regentsounds@borkowski.co.uk

Auction Website: www.reverb.com/uk/shop/regent-sounds-vintage

Guitar Website: www.gibsones5.com

Regent Sounds: www.regentsounds.com

About Reverb: https://reverb.com

About Tony Bacon: www.tonybacon.co.uk