Shopping

Number One Telegraph Street

Number One Telegraph Street
Tucked away at the end of an alleyway and down a mirror-lined staircase is a fabulous authentic barber that’s been trading since 1909. Without so much as a proper name to call itself, this really is a hideaway. The original barber who established the place worked at the shop until his death at the age of 87. The current proprietor, Mr Kyriacou, originally from Cyprus, took over the business in 1970 and has been working there ever since. Despite its discreet location, this establishment is still very popular, and every lunch hour brings a rush of City boys in need of a good haircut or wet shave. The interior is well worn: the patched-up barbers’ chairs that date back to the late ’30s are tired, the mirrors with gilt lettering are starting to blacken and the wording is beginning to fade, but all this adds to the charm. If only they could take up the lino to reveal the shop’s original marble floor.
Number One Telegraph Street, 1a Telegraph St, EC2 (020 7638 3101) Bank tube.

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T Fox

T Fox
This elegant umbrella shop was established by Thomas Fox in 1868, and has passed through a number of hands since then. In the early days the building housed a hair salon and a tailor, also owned by Fox, and it was common for customers to come, leave their umbrella to be repaired and have their hair cut while they were waiting. The extremely stylish exterior was installed in 1936 and was, at the time, the latest in shop-front design. Curved non-reflective glazing was used for the windows, and the framework was made from black Vitrolite and chromed steel. Two prancing silver foxes and a neon sign were the finishing touches. Seventy years on, it still looks achingly cool.

Inside, the shop is fitted with cabinets made of solid Canadian black walnut. The staircase boasts framed mirrors, with original advertising graphics dating back to 1868. Right up until 1990, the umbrellas were handmade in the basement workshop to the strictest criteria, and T Fox prides itself on having produced one-off designs for John F Kennedy, a gadget umbrella for a James Bond film, and brollies for John Steed in ‘The Avengers’.
T Fox, 118 London Wall, EC2 (020 7628 1868) Moorgate tube/rail.

W Martyn

W Martyn
This coffee shop in a pretty enclave of Muswell Hill was founded in 1863 by Mr Martyn, who left his family farm in Devon to set it up. It started as a grocery selling basic household goods, but when coffee and tea brands became more accessible, it redefined itself as a ‘tea and coffee specialist and retailer of fine foods’. Martyn opened two other stores in Golders Green and Finchley, which were run by his sons, but they closed when the sons retired in the mid ’50s. Current owner William Martyn, great grandson of the founder, hopes the shop will stay in the family, and his four-year-old son visits regularly. He keeps things traditional, insisting ‘staff must count the change back into the customers’ hands as this has always been customer policy.’

The decor has also been left intact. A traditional wooden counter stretches the length of the shop and goods are piled high on handmade shelves above. The staff serve customers from behind the counter, reaching high on ladders to collect goods from top shelves. An old set of scales is still used to weigh out nuts, dried fruit and sugar. You’ll note the scales have mirrors attached – an early security device. There is also a separate counter with a small opening, where goods are paid for. The coffee roaster in the window roasts all kinds of coffees throughout the day, filling the shop with a fantastic smell.
W Martyn, 135 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 (020 8883 5642) Highgate tube then 43, 102, 134, 144, W7 bus.

Wiltons Cycles and Wireless Co
This specialist shop first opened in 1895 on nearby Wilton Road and has been at its current premises since 1935. Proprietor Robert Head inherited it from his parents, who took it over in the 1930s. Wiltons started out supplying parts for the motor industry, but as time went on it diversified into wirelesses and then bicycles. Today it mostly specialises in collectors’ model toys. But visit soon: Robert – who’s run the shop since the ’70s and lived above it for most of his life – is planning to retire and Wiltons may not survive him.Wiltons Cycles and Wireless Co, 28 Upper Tachbrook St, SW1 (020 7834 1367) Victoria tube/rail.

‘Still Open: The Guide to Traditional London Shops’ is out now (Black Dog, £12.95). Time Out readers can order the book at the discounted price of £9.95 by emailing their name and address to offers@bdp.demon.co.uk. Please write ‘Time Out/Still Open’ in the email’s subject field.