After almost 25 years trading at 17, Ryder Street in London’s St. James’s, John Carlton-Smith, the noted specialist in English clocks and barometers, has moved, but not far.
On March 10 he relocated to 19 Ryder Street (Tel: 020 7930 6622).
The lease was up at No. 17 and the dealer decided to move rather than renew.
His new premises were vacated by Christie’s wine department and the landlord is the Crown. The landlords at No.17 were none other than Christie’s.
Mr Carlton-Smith tells me that while he was at No 17 there had been much talk from Christie’s of re-development, and, indeed, some traders had been offered leases with a development clause.
However, for the moment, it seems these plans have been shelved.
The clocks specialist, who is a regular exhibitor at Grosvenor House, says: “My decision to move was mainly prompted because of the position of the new gallery and the improvement of light and space.
“This allows me to trade on two floors, and it also enabled me to remain in St. James’s where I hope my many friends and clients can find me quite easily.”
Mr Carlton-Smith’s new Ryder Street neighbours are, on one side, the London showroom of noted Paris dealer Didier Aaron and, on the other, a Russian dealer who is shortly to move in selling Russian art.
Meanwhile the well-known watch dealer Terence Camerer Cuss, who shared No 17 with Mr Carlton-Smith, has decided to work out of his office (Tel: 01428 648600).
In short, it’s a move for the better
MOVING shop when leases expire, or for other reasons, is always stressful, but some moves are less traumatic than others.
