I was really saddened to hear of the imminent demise of one of London’s longest-serving music stores, Chas E Foote Ltd in Golden Square, London W1. (Update: the store reopens in Store Street, Jan 2013)
Founded in 1920 by Charles Ernest Foote and ‘run by musicians for musicians,’ the store has stocked drums, percussion, woodwind brass and string instruments for over 90 years, mainly in the former Premier Drum Company’s premises it took over in the 1930s.
I’ve used the store many years, on and off, and have always found it a friendly place to get the latest drum gear and parts, or just pop in for a chat.
Sadly, rising central London rents and the relentless growth of online sales mean that Foote’s days are numbered, with the shop expected to close for good in the next few months.
Although the famous Foote’s shop will soon be gone, some of the staff are hoping to open up another, smaller shop fairly close by. I wish them good luck.
[Foote’s music store]
10 Golden Square, London, W1F 9JA.
Related posts:
Footes drum and music store reopens in Store Street, central London
Trussed and bound: King George II at Golden Square, London
On The Beat Records, 22 Hanway Street, London W1 – a great old record store
Another West End record store bites the dust as JB’s, Hanway Street, London closes
A fantastic cafe for central London: The Old Cafe takes over Ray’s Jazz in the former Foyles store
London busker bashes out the beats on a drum kit made from a bicycle
Foyles: the new flagship store opens as we reflect on the chaotic years and the famous shoplifters
Saturday lunchtime at Golden Square, Soho, London
This is very regrettable (as we say in Malawi)
Hi David.. afraid you’ve jumped the gun a bit here… Footes is not closing.. it is relocating. The rent at Golden Square and the squeeze of the recession mean we are moving premises in the Autumn.. still in Soho so we can continue to provide the excellent service we’ve been renowned for since 1920 … if you email us your details sales@footesmusic.com we’ll let you know when and where we’re opening… great to know you rate us!!!
Let me know where your going tooo
We’re please to announce that we (Foote’s) are open again now at 41 Store Street London WC1E 7DB, here’s some recent press form ITV: http://www.itv.com/news/london/2012-12-19/pink-floyds-drummer-steps-in-to-save-his-old-drum-shop/
That’s great news Rob! I’ll try and pop in soon and say hello.
The new store is awesome! Glad to see you’re back open!