SC Edit — London’s Best Magazine Shops & Their Founders

Something Curated takes a look at some of the best magazine shops in London. Our compendium spans newsagents and bookshops stocking an impressive range of home-grown and international fashion, art and lifestyle titles, alongside lesser known independent publications, as well as specialist stores offering a unique edit of foreign zines, monographs and rare editions.

 

Ti Pi Tin || Katja Chernova

47 Stoke Newington High Street – N16 8EL

After establishing Ti Pi Tin as an online independent zine and book store in 2009, Katja Chernova opened her first physical outlet in Dalston, on Stoke Newington High Street. The store’s bright and minimalistic interior features exposed brick walls, functional shelving, and a homely scattering of greenery. Stocking innovative and emergent publishers like Café Royal Books, Nieves, OHWOW, Karma, MACK, twelvebooks, and Seems, Ti Pi Tin offers a diverse selection of vibrant and stimulating works ranging from independently and self-published limited edition books to small press magazines, journals, catalogues and zines. Working in collaboration with local and international artists and curators, Chernova has developed a dynamic programme of events, including talks and screenings, offering opportunities for discussion around independent publishing.

Shreeji News || Mr. Sandeep

6 Chiltern Street – W1U 7PT

Based on Marylebone’s eminently stylish Chiltern Street, this rather unassuming shop stocks over 500 publications, offering a bespoke delivery service, and further access to over 3000 titles upon request. Mr. Sandeep, who has three decades of experience in the field, curates the remarkable selection of titles on offer. Publications stocked cater to diverse areas of interest, ranging from, art, architecture, fashion, global trends, literature, marketing and photography. With the continual addition of new and varied titles to their range, the store’s proprietor notes Shreeji News is happy to fulfil individual requests for magazines, proclaiming, “Print is alive and well!”

Artwords Bookshop || Ben Hillwood-Harris

69 Rivington Street – EC2A 3QQ & 20-22 Broadway Market – E8 4QZ

Ben Hillwood-Harris, an ex-Waterstone’s bookseller, launched Artwords back in 2001. The shop specialises in contemporary visual culture, supplying customers with the most up-to-date local publications, as well as offering imported magazines and books from Europe and North America. Hillwood-Harris’ two shops have longstanding links with British artists, including Banksy and Tim Noble, who have collaborated on special projects. The stores also host regular readings and launch events. Artwords stocks a diverse selection of magazines, foreign zines, signed and rare editions, as well as titles covering theory and critical analysis in fine art, architecture, art history, fashion, graphic design and photography.

Charlotte Street News || Perry Thaker

66 Charlotte Street – W1T 4QE

The family owned and operated business, managed by Perry Thaker, has been going for the past 25 years, steadfastly growing and gaining repute. Taking great pride in their ability to cater to the needs of their varied clientele, Charlotte Street News provides services to individuals and companies in London, as well as international readers via their popular online presence. Thaker’s regularly updated roster of magazines, includes titles in self help, well being, entertainment, fashion, art, current affairs, sports, technology, and numerous hobbies. With a huge range of magazines on offer, you can be assured to find what you are looking for at their store or on their increasingly prevalent online shop.

Several || Graeme Fidler

Rochelle School, Arnold Circus – E2 7ES

Several brings together a menswear label, design consultancy and e-commerce store under one roof. With its roots firmly embedded in British sub-culture, Several offers an engaging edit of understated clothing that focuses on quality, craftsmanship, and quiet luxury, as well as a unique collection of publications. Here, the distinctive selection is of most interest, as oppose to the abundant choice offered by the other retailers featured. Creative Director & Founder, Graeme Fidler is of a distinguished fashion background, having previously worked as the head of menswear at Aquascutum and more recently, as the Creative Director for Swiss luxury label, Bally. Check out Several for a discerning offering of fashion publications.

Wardour News || Raj Patel

118-120 Wardour Street – W1F 0TU

A fixture in the heart of Soho for the last 32 years, Wardour News is often referred to as the best newsagents in all of London, establishing itself as somewhat of an institution over the years. Raj Patel, whose unquestionably one of the friendliest shopkeepers around, can be found daily behind the counter of his Soho shop. Notably, back in 2010, Creative Review funded the renovation of the iconic newsagent. Stocking an incredible array of beautiful and influential art, design, fashion and photography magazines, it’s all here, and if it isn’t, the affable proprietor will try to source it for you.

Foyles || William and Gilbert Foyle

107 Charing Cross Road – WC2H 0EB

The new Foyles flagship at 107 Charing Cross Road houses a range of over 200,000 different titles on an impressive four miles of shelves. With 37,000 square feet of retail space, it is the largest bookshop to have opened in the UK. Alongside books, DVDs and stationery, Foyles stocks a massive range of magazines and newspapers. An impressive full height central atrium and large windows fill the space with natural light, while the layout allows for easy navigation and the discovery of new titles. Foyles was founded in 1903 by brothers William and Gilbert Foyle, and first opened on Charing Cross Road in 1906. Declared by William Foyle to be “the world’s first purpose-built bookshop”, it quickly became one of the capital’s most well-known literary landmarks.

magCulture || Jeremy Leslie

270 St John Street – EC1V 4PE

magCulture operates concurrently as a studio, offering strategic and creative services, a journal, which focuses on the future of editorial design, and a shop, which opened in Clerkenwell in December 2015. The 400 square foot space celebrates the best magazines, with a changing stock of several hundred titles. Founder and Creative Director Jeremy Leslie has over two decades of experience in editorial design; he has art directed publications including Time Out and Blitz, and has developed magazines for numerous clients whilst working at John Brown Publishing in the noughties. The magCulture store has been thoughtfully designed to encourage people to take their time browsing and enjoy the selection process.

Rococo News || Bhavesh Patel

12 Elgin Crescent – W11 2HX

You can expect to find an impressive choice of international newspapers, along with an extensive selection of hard-to-find independent publications at Rococo News. The shop’s manager Taj, notes: “When it comes to independent publishers, we take responsibility for promoting them in London, stocking their magazines and helping them as they are new to the industry.” Carrying over 4,000 titles, Rococo News is one of the top specialist magazine shops in the city. Based in West London, just off the famous Portobello Road, the store stocks a unique selection of international broadsheets, offering up-to-day printed material from all over the world. Interestingly, Sky Sports filmed a television commercial, featuring David Beckham, inside the newsagent earlier this summer.

 Tenderbooks || Etan Ilfeld

6 Cecil Court – WC2N 4HE

Owned by London-based entrepreneur and author Etan Ilfeld, Tenderbooks, next-door to Tenderpixel Gallery, is a space for independent artist books and unique contemporary publications, readings and events. The shop also stages monthly exhibitions dedicated to the book work of a featured artist or press. These displays are often conceived around the idea of the ‘ex libris’ with a view to showcasing personal libraries, rare material and ephemera. Located a short walk from Leicester Square, Cecil Court is a picturesque late Victorian thoroughfare linking Charing Cross Road and St Martin’s Lane, pedestrianised and seemingly immune from the bustle of the city which surrounds it. Tenderbooks frequently commissions publications and limited editions, collaborating with their partner gallery to support artist projects and experimental publishing.