Foyles Bookshop

A Century of Literary Legacy

Foyles stands as one of the world's most storied independent bookshops, with roots stretching back to 1903 when brothers William and Gilbert Foyle began selling redundant textbooks from their home. What started as a modest venture quickly flourished, and by 1906 they had established themselves at 135 Charing Cross Road, earning recognition as London's largest educational booksellers. The shop's reputation grew steadily, and by the time it moved to its iconic flagship location at 119 Charing Cross Road in 1929, Foyles had become a legendary destination for book lovers worldwide. For over eight decades, the original Foyles Building served as the heart of London's literary culture, surviving the Blitz and countless changes in the publishing industry before relocating to its current premises in 2014.

Wartime Resilience and Eccentric Character

During the Second World War, the original Foyles Building demonstrated remarkable resilience. When a bomb fell on Charing Cross Road in 1940, it created an enormous crater that nearly destroyed the shop; the army hastily erected a bridge over the crater, which William Foyle christened "Foyles Bridge." In a gesture of defiant wit, the shop's staff famously stacked copies of Hitler's Mein Kampf on the roof as sandbag replacements during air raids. Beyond its wartime heroics, the old Foyles became legendary for its labyrinthine layout and chaotic charm. Under the long stewardship of Christina Foyle, daughter of co-founder William, the shop resisted modernization, refusing to install electronic tills or allow telephone orders. Books were stored horizontally and often on the floor, creating an archaeological treasure hunt for visitors. The famous three-queue system—where customers queued to select a book, again to pay, and once more to collect their purchase—became part of Foyles' mystique, immortalized in competitor Waterstones' advertising slogan "Foyled again."

Cultural Institution and Literary Hub

Beyond its role as a bookshop, Foyles established itself as a cultural institution. In October 1930, Christina Foyle initiated the Foyles Literary Luncheons, a tradition that continues to this day and has hosted over 1,000 authors and 500,000 guests across more than 700 events. The shop became a refuge for literary figures, musicians, and intellectuals seeking rare and obscure volumes. William Foyle's famous 1932 telegram to Adolf Hitler, offering to purchase books the Nazis were burning, exemplified the shop's commitment to literary preservation. The store also provided a home for Ray's Jazz Shop, a beloved West End institution that operated within Foyles' premises until its closure in 2002.

Modern Transformation and Current Premises

In 2014, Foyles relocated to its current five-storey home at 107 Charing Cross Road, a building formerly occupied by Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. The move represented a significant evolution, allowing the shop to be redesigned as a contemporary retail space while maintaining its independent character and comprehensive stock. Architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands oversaw the refurbishment, creating a modern environment that respects the shop's heritage. The new Foyles spans multiple levels, with dedicated sections for fiction, non-fiction, academic titles, foreign language books (incorporating the former Grant & Cutler collection), music, and stationery. The café on the top floor has become a beloved retreat for readers and writers alike, offering views across London's rooftops.

Comprehensive Stock and Specialized Collections

Foyles remains renowned for its extraordinary breadth of stock, with an estimated 200,000 titles in store. The shop's foreign language section, expanded following the 2011 acquisition of Grant & Cutler, offers books in dozens of languages. The music section serves both casual browsers and serious collectors, while the stationery department caters to writers and artists. The shop's staff, trained to assist across this vast inventory, represent a dramatic shift from the old Foyles' famously unhelpful stock control, yet the store maintains its reputation as a place where customers discover unexpected treasures.

A Living Monument to Independent Bookselling

Today, Foyles operates as a beacon for independent bookselling in an era of digital retail and chain store consolidation. The shop's survival and reinvention demonstrate the enduring appeal of curated, human-scaled retail experiences. Visitors continue to spend hours browsing its carefully organized sections, attending author events, and lingering in the café. The shop's history—from its humble beginnings as a textbook reseller to its current status as a global literary landmark—reflects broader transformations in publishing, retail, and urban culture. Foyles remains a place where the physical act of browsing books, encountering unexpected discoveries, and engaging with a knowledgeable community of readers continues to thrive.