HOW many dealers, I wonder, dread, rather than dream of, their business area being “discovered”? Long before Covent Garden became a trendy mecca for international tourists, one of the familiar attractions for habitués was London dealer Arthur Middleton’s distinctive shop in New Row, full of early globes and all sorts of antique scientific instruments.
Now, after 27 years in Covent Garden, Arthur, an acknowledged expert in his field, is giving up his shop to work from home dealing with major clients and acting as a consultant to museums and collections as well as, increasingly, servicing the prop hire industry for films, television and photo shoots. Mr Middleton said: "When we first moved here it was nice and peaceful, but for some while we have been plagued by passing tourists just treating us as a free museum.
"Between this and the ever-rising rents demanded in Covent Garden, a move makes economic sense."
New contact numbers are 0207 281 8445, mobile 07887 481102.
