Like other global cities, London is slowly being taken over by high street brands. Top Shop, Zara, M&S, Tesco, Office… It’s a shame because the smaller independent shops really bring character to a neighborhood. Steve Reed, who most of the photos in this entry belong to, and a few others take a lot of pleasure in photographing some of London’s more interesting shop fronts. Many lot of these images have been contributed to the Flickr pool so I’m going to share them with you as part of an ongoing series. of London’s unique shop fronts.
Photo: Verde & Company by The Green Album
Photo: Jaiamibka by Steve Reed
Photo: Atlas Carz by Steve Reed
Photo: Sun in Splendour by Steve Reed
Photo: Fresher Food & Wine by Steve Reed
Photo: Another satisfied customer by John Kortland
Photo: Manzara by Steve Reed
Photo: Lewisham Food Market by Steve Reed
Photo: G Portwine by Steve Reed
Photo: Sheila’s Cafe by Steve Reed
Photo: Gi-Gi’s by Steve Reed
Photo: Robertsons by Steve Reed
Photo: Denton by Steve Reed
Photo: 99 Dry Cleaners by Steve Reed
Photo: Oddy Fashion by Steve Reed
Photo: Kung Fu Kitchen by Steve Reed
Photo: Uncle Wrinkle by Steve Reed
Photo: Nag’s Head by Kathy Archbold
Photo: Mrs M. E. Crick by Steve Reed
Photo: Gossip by Steve Reed
Photo: Oriental by Steve Reed
Photo: Al’s Clip Joint by Steve Reed
Photo: Chiswick High Street by Steve Reed
Photo: Sky Blue Coffee by Steve Reed
Photo: Fox by Steve Reed
Photo: Palm Beach by Steve Reed
Photo: Yah Suh Nice by Steve Reed
On the same topic, I interviewed London’s shop front expert Emily Webber back in 2010 with a link there to her website dedicated to her favourite topic.
Little London Observationist 
Steve Reed is a great photographer!
Love this.x
When I came to London, I was actually very impressed at how many independent businesses there still were. I kinda think it’s a bigger problem in smaller towns, perhaps because there’s less retail space. I come from St Neots in Cambridgeshire, and there almost all of the smaller shops have closed down. In London, even though they may not get the best locations, the independent shops at least seem to be thriving.
I love places like this. They give character to a neighborhood.
Verde & Co! Jeanette Winterson’s shop. What a great place. Great post too.
Wow, great selection of photos by Steve and special mention to John and Kathy too! My favourite one is the first one though, of Verde & Company by The Green Album. I agree, brands and chains will run these unique shops off our high streets just like we’re seeing on Borough High Street. It is a great pity but a bit of a catch 22 as they seem to be what consumers want.
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