London’s oldest and most iconic costume shop, which had been operating from its prime Shaftesbury Avenue location since 1840, closed its doors last Friday when its current lease ended.
“It’s the end of an era but it’s definitely not goodbye,” company director Emma Angel told PartyWorldwide.net as she explained that the long-established family business – which is now in its seventh generation – will continue to operate from its north London branch and online at angelsfancydress.com.
Despite an ongoing search, Emma has been unable to source suitable new premises for a central London store, explaining that the business has been ‘priced out of the area’ due to ‘unrealistically high’ rates and rents.
“We are committed to bringing an Angels Fancy Dress store back to central London,” said Emma, “but for now we are resigned to leaving the West End.”
She continued: “While our business can continue online and physically from our Hendon warehouse, operating alongside the movie industry side of the company, as of now, the curtain comes down on Angels presence as a West End landmark and a rite of passage for party-going Londoners.”
In the short term, Angels Fancy Dress will move physical operations to its Hendon branch, situated alongside its award-winning sister company Angels Costumes which supplies costumes to the entertainment industry.
All ten of the Shaftesbury Avenue staff have been temporarily relocated to Hendon until a new central London premises has been found. The costume hire side of the West End business will also continue to operate as a bespoke online service for customers who cannot travel to the Hendon location.
“We will continue to offer all our usual Angels services,” said Emma, “but for the time being we are just going to have to do things a little bit differently. I practially grew up in the Shaftesbury Avenue building, so it’s very emotional and will be a big change. Luckily I quite like change and we are all up for the challenge. So watch this space!”
