East London shopping guide
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By Katie Dailey. Photography Ed Marshall
Posted: Fri Nov 3 2006 -
Beyond the vintage shops of Brick Lane is an intriguing mix of establishments that have served the old East End for decades. Time Out stumbles upon traditional cobblers, warehouses of discontinued perfumes, paper bag retailers, old-fashioned upholsterers and shops that only open when they feel like it. And even then you have to knock. Follow our shopping trail, matching the numbers on the map to the shops detailed overleaf
East vendors: follow the East End shopping trail (click to enlarge) Shoreditch
1 CA4LA
Situated off the beaten track in a rickety old converted house, this hat shop is a ramshackle affair. You’ll find all sorts of quirky millinery balanced in precarious towers among old-fashioned hatboxes, stuffed animals and crumbling chandeliers.
CA4LA, 23 Pitfield St, N1 (020 7490 0055/www.weavetoshi.co.jp) Old St tube/rail. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-8pm.Feature continues
Advertisement2 Sameer
Even when you’ve found the shop open, knocked for entry and put up with the sullen staff, you still need to persuade this jewellery wholesaler to let you buy in small quantities. It’s worth it, though, for the fantastic range of cheap ’70s-style baubles in hundreds of messily stacked drawers.
Sameer, 225-227 Old St, EC1 (020 7253 9269) Old St tube/rail. Open Mon-Fri, ring for opening times.3 AP Kirby
From the outside you’d think this odd little place closed down centuries ago, but behind the layers of grime and decades-old decor is a fully functioning upholsterer. Though most of its business comes from trade, it’s happy to reupholster your sofa, re-stuff your cushions, or make a bespoke beanbag. Prices are very reasonable, making it a great place if you need something comfortable and original to lounge on.
AP Kirby, 74 Swanfield St, E2 (020 7739 1915) Bethnal Green tube. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-4.30pm.
4 Peter the Pleater
Established in 1893, this gloriously titled blinds, curtains and awnings maker is a dying breed of establishment that values good old-fashioned service. Set back from the main road, the little shop is easy to miss, but try not to, as the quality of the craftsmanship and friendly bespoke service is terrific.
Peter the Pleater, 17-19 Great Eastern St, EC2 (020 7375 1053) Old St tube/rail. Open Mon- Fri 9am-5pm.
5 Mad World Fancy Dress
Don’t wait until you are invited to a costume party, you will never regret a trip to this fantastic fancy dress cavern. Mad World stocks over 35,000 costumes, from a ‘Wolf with Attitude’ to a human-sized ‘prawn’, plus a great range of famous Oscars acceptance speech gowns. The shop is surprisingly unknown, considering its mammoth proportions and downright hilarious costumes.
Mad World Fancy Dress, 69-85 Tabernacle St, EC2 (0800 783 6582) Old St tube/rail. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am- 6.45pm, Thur 9.30am-7.45pm, Sat 10am-4.45pm.- Add your comment to this feature
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5 comments
I know this article is old, but I was dismayed to hear the bad report about Ken at Well-heeled and wanted to set the record straight for anyone who might be thinking of going there. He has been repairing my shoes for 3 years now and has always done a superlative job, even on some really fiddly and time consuming projects. He has never said a repair isn't worth it (like many cobblers I'd previously been to) and has, from time to time, not charged me for a repair. I think he's a gentleman and a craftsman!
Have the people who own XEN been writing on here? That just reads a bit too detailed and fake to me but hey that's just my opinion.
Give 'Well Healed' on Bethnal Green Road a miss. I took my shoes in for a new sole. I got a glued on sole, looked awful, and 'Ken', the aeon old proprieter had scoured the leather, for a favour! He then denied this as they obviously looked awful and were ruined! I left them with him so he could find out what happened. When I returned they have been miraculously shined up beyond regognition, like they had been varnished. So my nice soft leather shoes now had deep gauges in the leather (Ken said it was cracks in the leather) and a hard, shiny, lacquered like finish and they were 10 shades darker brown. I tried to reason with Ken Holmes but he got aggressive and began threatening how his son would be going beserk if he was there. I felt very intimidated, he called 'me' a liar and refused to accept any liability although he agreed that no one else had been near the shoes. I would give this place a miss, there are plenty of other places on Bethnal Green Road where I would take my business for a better price, a better job and to get my shoes back in the same state as I handed them over in. This guy is a cowboy.
I bought shoes from XEN and was amazed at the value they offer.. even the suits and shirts were cheaper and better than I have seen elsewhere.
I loved the quirky family independent nature of the shop too. Was nice to get away from the mass market high street names that are so impersonal.
you seem to have left out XEN in Harrow Place on your listings... for business shoes especially discounting Loake and Barker Shoes... they are really cheap at around £75!!
Harrow Place is between Petticoat Lane, Middlesex Street and Houndsditch and Bishopsgate, only a few mins from Spittalfields Martket.
Its a family business and all a bit fun and quirky, but all the insurance boys buy their shoes and discount suits from this one off find..
Would be a good idea to take a look... I think they even have a website, but they don't sell on-line...
Google XEN discount shoes for more... perhaps...