1978?
1 Like
My memories of that ancient Foyles institution is that when you bought a book you got a ticket and then had to pay a grumpy harridan in a kiosk who was Christina Foyle herself before getting your hands on a book !
The only useful thing about WH Smiths these days is that they stock @TheKevsters mag !
1 Like
With the āold styleā Foyles, you never knew what you might find in there, and I suspect the staff didnāt either 
I went into Smiths for a diary last week. What was A4 sized is now maybe A5? Also the price was Ā£11.98. Into The Works, A4 sized diary Ā£3ā¦
1 Like
Fond memories of meeting my friend for a weeknight pint in Soho, then wandering into Tower for a browse before catching the last Tube home.
2 Likes
I was in WH Smith in Bluewater/Kent the weekend and saw their vinyl offering. Basically a cardboard tower with Rumours, DSOTM and a few others like that plus a smattering of new stuff, with HMV 50 yards away I dont think they will sell many from that store ā¦
2 Likes
The Bluewater HMV store is pretty good, they used to have a good range of Jazz vinyl in stock, donāt know if it is still the same but it was always a pleasure to browse the vinyl in there.
As for WHS stocking a small range of classic titles along with a some new music seems a bit pointless to me with HMV so close by.
1 Like
My happy place was the basement of the big old HMV Oxford Street store. Blissful peace and quiet after the hurly-burly in the street, calming music, knowledgeable staff, a sense of history (Elgar was at the opening, I believe). The only downside was the inevitable hit to my wallet after a visit.
Roger
3 Likes
Remember it well, classical behind the sepia windows.
The megastores were awesome, Tower, HMV, Virgin but I donāt miss them one bit. They were (are) just too big. Browsing was like being dropped down in the middle of nowhere without map or compass - where the heck do you start browsing? Give me a small independent shop with an owner who loves music every time. I like to browse the whole shop and chat to the owner. I too remember the HMV classical glasshouse on Oxford Street. Made me feel like Iād not passed enough āOā Levels when I looked in which I think you had to do for āspecialist musicā. Calling something specialist music is like putting up a sign saying keep out pop fans. Late night opening at Tower was great though.
1 Like
Us upper- class Classical toffs didnāt want any of the lower orders to invade our superior spaceā¦
1 Like
Whereas we just want to dance.
Good grief no.
I would spill my glass of 1996 Chablis.
1 Like
That youāve managed not to spill it in 28 years proves my point I think 
2 Likes
Drinking is the curse of the working classes, dear boy.
And no, not the other way round 
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.