talkmagic.co.uk

Another vote for Marco and Jerry at International. It's like a getting a show and magic education at the same time. Many a happy hour spent looking through the display cabinets and trying things out before I buy. You get a nice cuppa too if they are not busy.

I find Davenports a bit stuffy and morgue(ish??) by comparison.

gillows wrote:
I find Davenports a bit stuffy and morgue(ish??) by comparison.

That's "atmosphere"!

Barry

I was at Charing Cross tube station some weeks ago and asked the Tube staff where Davenports Magic Shop was. It was in the arcade they reliably informed me, although joked that it had disappeared. It really did! I couldn't find it, and found myself in a hideous tiled area with a muscle building product shop and a newsagents. The sign for Davenports was spelt out in glamourous letters by the entrance, which might have said "Unit 23" or something. I really was not impressed.

Next time I'm in London I'll def check out Alakazam. I love their products.

Rufio wrote:Next time I'm in London I'll def check out Alakazam. I love their products.

Good luck. They're in Kent.

Well to we Northerners, the Sidcup Massif from Kent always say they are from London.

Respect.

Alakazam.. the way there

The rule is
If you are prepared to spend more than £300, Pete will pick you up.
If you are going to spend less then please pick him up.

If only they would open in London. it would be great. One day i might dig into my fortune and open a place. A few years back was looking around the London Dungeon area as that seemed appropriate. Anyway im buried in other projects now so maybe another time

Plume: If you follow what you've been told to find Davenports you will, like Rufio, never find the shop.
It is NOT at or in Charing Cross Station!!

Ask for The Strand-- which is OFF Trafalgar Square.

Go up the Strand,FROM Trafalgar Square, on the left side.
JUST a short way up, (on the OPPOSITE side of Charing Cross)

That is where the shop is. OPPOSITE Charing Cross Station

There is an ARCADE SHOPPING CENTRE --just down a few steps.OPPOSITE CHARING CROSS.

The Arcade is UNDERGROUND. Down a few steps and you are there.

There is another way, from a street that runs parallel with The Strand but that may confuse. Stay with the simple directions.

Allen Tipton,

International isnt down any flight of stairs. Its on ground level.

maybe there was a down stairs in the past. they probably got Jerry chained up down there now..oops

you know, Internationals did have a downstairs many moons ago.
I visited the inner sanctum several times for coffee, and i had my IBM interview there from Ron.( i picked up a flying carpet from them too)

the room was lined with books, and there was a small bar set up.

That's because I haven't visted International for Many years,
There used to be 2 places. One at street level which was more of a joke shop for the Public and the other,round the corner down a flight of stairs.

Yes Dale, that's how I remember it.

Allen Tipton

Allen Tipton wrote:Plume: If you follow what you've been told to find Davenports you will, like Rufio, never find the shop.
It is NOT at or in Charing Cross Station!!

It's in the shopping arcade of Charing Cross Underground Station - at the far end. I agree it's not easy to find.

Barry

If you go to the Charing Cross Underground Station entrance form the Strand. You'll see a newspaper seller standing there. Ask him where the magic shop is and he'll give you some really good advice about ways on improving your sex life.

I am asked, frequently by magicians, especially younger ones, 'Where are the Magic Shops?'
The enquirers are ALWAYS looking for Magic Shops which DISPLAY the apparatus etc.

They have perhaps seen pics. or illustrations of what Magic Shops USED to look like----as in my younger days, and wonder if any are still left.

COULD WE compile a list of any Magic Shops that fit this criteria?
Shops with display cabinets or shelves with all those magical looking goods that draw and fascinate us all.

NOT in this--'Magic Shops In London'.
[u]But a SEPARATE list of these magical places and their addresses.

Allen Tipton[/u]

That's a great idea - maybe a seperate section with separate threads for each shop....

Sean

The links section at http://www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk/linshopuk.htm gives details of bricks and mortar shops.