Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years – but swiftly reopens in Store Street W1!

Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years

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)

 

Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years

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.

Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years

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.

Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years

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.

Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years

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.

Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years

[Foote’s music store]
10 Golden Square, London, W1F 9JA.

8 Comments on “Footes drum store in central London to close after 90 years – but swiftly reopens in Store Street W1!”

  1. 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!!!

    1. JOHN MILTON TAYLER gave me my first. Drum lesson in around 1960 in Bristol on my first ERIC DELANEY DRUM KIT for kids with the first plastic , not leather head which cost £ 9 which i paid in monthly instalments from my half a crown weekly pocket money. He was playing with the Eric Winstone orchestra , invited to Clifton College public school where i was a pupil. He taught me the Mummy Daddy drum roll and accompanied visiting musicians at the Dorchester hotel and sat in for Eric Delaney and as tympanist with classical orchestras. He had a Packard Convertible sports car with electric boot , windows etc and a young 32 yr old Japanese wife , half his age and his sister Joy ran then the Royal Academy of Dancing school in Bristol and still alive in Islewotth Middlesex. Spoke with her in around 2008 and also later.

  2. Hi. Will it still be possible to hire a small studio with drums in the new store. So pleased you are not going permanently. I used your store as a teenage drummer in the 60s. Good luck with the relocation

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