Now I can reveal that his long-time neighbour, English and Continental pottery specialist Garry Atkins, is also leaving after nearly 14 years at his shop at 107 Kensington Church Street, W8.
The lease runs out at the end of March and Garry and his wife Julie's last day in the shop will be March 18. They will not be retiring and will continue to trade by appointment. The telephone number remains 020 7727 8737.
Garry's gallery swansong will be his regular March selling exhibition of English pottery from the 1st to the 12th, when he offers 49 catalogued exhibits, with plenty of other objects around the shop.
The show comprises English delftwares including six dated 'Merry Man' plates, a group of bin labels and a good Wilkes and Liberty plate. Also of note is a Bovey Tracey teapot, a Wedgwood teapot decorated with a Guy Green print of John Wesley (a vessel said to have been used by Wesley himself) and a creamware 'Queen's Pattern' plate of Liverpool marine interest.
After leaving number 107, Garry Atkins will continue with exhibitions, including this March one, over the road at a new space at 132 Kensington Church Street. "We are looking forward to being able to spend more time sourcing fresh and unusual objects," he tells me.
