Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
F.W. Collins & Sons
 Collins exterior with stall  Ironmonger behind counter  1945 diary & 1942 calendar  Glue pot |
Boasting of being the inventor of elastic glue, F.W. Collins & Sons is a hardware shop with a rich and curious history. Until five years ago it was continuously owned for seven generations by Fred Collins. Each first born son in the family was always named Fred so as to ensure the prosperity of this family run business.
The most recent Fred Collins who had been running around his fathers shop as a child, began working with his father at the age of 14. He retired from the business at the age of 40 due to health concerns. He then sold his business to his friend Malcolm Davey, who is now running the business.
You will notice as you walk towards F.W. Collins & Sons (to get yourself a new hammer, or perhaps a (humane) mousetrap, or just some batteries), that their shop front tells you they are the inventor of elastic glue. When I asked Malcolm about this he said 'They used to work on horses saddles as well as being a hardware store. This shop used to be like a local garage for horses and they used the glue for the horses shoes as well as other things.' In the basement there are still the large cast--iron pots placed on the floor that were used in the glue making process.
Beyond the elastic glue, there are many other hints of the long history of this hardware shop scattered throughout. There are a few metal signs nailed to the walls which date back to the 18th century. A 1942 calendar is still lying around and the shop's diary from 1944-1945 has VE Day written in with a notice that the shop was closed on that memorable day.
So the next time you're in need of that special tool, DIY items or household wares, stop by F.W. Collins & Sons and be sure to take notice when your foot steps into centuries of history.
Contact:
F.W. Collins & Sons
14 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, London WC2
Tel: 020 7836 3964
Email: you must be kidding!
Article and photos by Carey Gordon
© Covent Garden Community Association, June 2001
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