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Simon Markson (right) with his cousin and colleague, Julian Markson |
Yellow lines may signal coda for ebony and
ivory outlet
Fears piano store may be forced to close after more than a century trading
HE’S sold pianos to some of the world’s most famous musicians, singers, and actors – and even a football manager or two – but after more than 100 years trading, his Kentish Town shop could be set to close.
Simon Markson, the managing director of Phelps Pianos in Fortess Road has warned he could close after workmen turned up on Thursday and painted double yellow lines on the road.
From his shop – the only one of its kind left in the area after the industry boomed in the 1930s – he has sold five pianos to Elton John and is in the middle of shipping out a specially designed piano for the Take That tour.
Rockers Oasis and Keane have shopped there, while actors Sean Bean, who lives in Belsize Village, and Roger Lloyd Pack, from Kentish Town, have also tinkled on ebony and ivories purchased from Phelps.
Even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger knows where to go when it comes to buying a Joanna, it seems.
While parking has always been a problem, as Mr Markson explains, it has never been as bad as this. “Parking problems are a long standing thing, but the double yellow lines have made it even harder. Customers are about to buy something, they see a warden, and they rush outside the shop. We lose a customer.”
Although 12 parking bays have been allocated, after residents have parked there’s little room for customers, said Mr Markson.
Phelps Pianos has stood in Fortess Road since 1895, and has a workshop, teaching room and studio downstairs. The Marksons took over the business 20 years ago, and own a sister shop in Albany Street in Regent’s Park.
One thing that would give the business some chance of survival is a delivery bay.
“Ideally we’d like to function as a piano business – it’s a heavy item,” said Mr Markson. “We’d like our pianos to be delivered and collected from a loading bay, and have adequate parking for our customers. It seems the choices have been whittled away.
“It’s really quite tragic. We’ve been here so long and established lots of friends and loyal customers, but if it gets too problematic it’s not really worth the hassle. If we are forced to move we will have to make that decision.”
A council press officer said last night (Wednesday), Mr Markson should discuss the possibility of a loading bay with the Town Hall.
Meanwhile neighbour and Midsomer Murders television writer Terry Hodgkinson said the council should have installed a speed camera instead and called a recent consultation a sham.
He said: “It’s the thin end of the wedge. It’s another part of the history of Kentish Town that’s being eroded. Phelps Piano shop is iconic. Phelps is Fortess Road.”
A council press officer said the lines were put down to improve pedestrian and resident safety when crossing the road.
She said: “Double yellow lines have been marked within the vicinity of traffic islands to improve safety for pedestrians and improve sightlines for all road users.
“In addition to the changes, 12 new shared use parking bays have been provided on the western side of Fortess Road, which can be used for loading/unloading, permit holders and pay and display users.”
Few objected to the proposed safety measures, she added, although the final decision was left to the road safety team. |
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