Of endings (but only of a shop)

Today (by which I mean Saturday - I haven't gone to bed yet, so it's still Saturday), I paid my final visit to Comic Showcase and picked up my final standing order.

After a smidgen over 26 years trading and twice moving to bigger premises closure was forced by an unreasonable rent hike from a developer who has plans to destroy the character of Charing Cross Road and the east side of China Town. At the same time, rents generally have risen far beyond the reach of the average small businessman in the West End of London unless that small businessman is prepared to mark up his prices accordingly.

Proprietor Paul Hudson never over charged and always remained competitive in a relatively small market. Now he's been squeezed out. I understand that he is off to join the Post Office.

I enjoyed nipping into Showcase for a chat and a bit of banter over the past 23 years I've been in London. I shall miss it. It now nestles in the memory along with Sundown Records late of Wolverhampton, which still occupies a fond place in my mind after 25 years.

Ho hum; just one less reason to visit the West End of London.

Of endings (but only of a shop)

Today (by which I mean Saturday - I haven't gone to bed yet, so it's still Saturday), I paid my final visit to Comic Showcase and picked up my final standing order.

After a smidgen over 26 years trading and twice moving to bigger premises closure was forced by an unreasonable rent hike from a developer who has plans to destroy the character of Charing Cross Road and the east side of China Town. At the same time, rents generally have risen far beyond the reach of the average small businessman in the West End of London unless that small businessman is prepared to mark up his prices accordingly.

Proprietor Paul Hudson never over charged and always remained competitive in a relatively small market. Now he's been squeezed out. I understand that he is off to join the Post Office.

I enjoyed nipping into Showcase for a chat and a bit of banter over the past 23 years I've been in London. I shall miss it. It now nestles in the memory along with Sundown Records late of Wolverhampton, which still occupies a fond place in my mind after 25 years.

Ho hum; just one less reason to visit the West End of London.