Whatever Happened to Thomas Foulkes, Ltd?

[Paul Mathews]

Does anyone know the story of the demise of the
famous London ship's chandler, Thomas Foulkes, Ltd?

Back in the early 80s, many of us took advantage of
a high US$ and bought lots of gear from TFL, and I
always wanted to see the place. However, I took a copy
of the 1988 catalog along with me to London last week,
and followed their directions out to Leytonstone to look
them up. They have vanished without a trace, and the
locals said that they'd gone bankrupt a few years back.

I'd appreciate hearing any further details. Thanks.

Paul Mathews, KD7ZI

[Robert Essex]

Paul Mathews <optoeng...@whidbey.com> wrote:

The locals were correct, they went into liquidation - I was unable to
find out if anyone else had taken their stock over. Thomas Foulkes was
an amazing chandlery, and stocked an enormous amount of goods which
were impossible or difficult to find elsewhere, e.g., galvanised
fittings.

The story that I was told was that they were no longer able to
complete with all of the smart discount chandlers.
Robert Essex
Milford Haven
Cymru
r...@monnet.demon.co.uk

[Goodchild]

> The locals were correct, they went into liquidation - I was unable to
> find out if anyone else had taken their stock over. Thomas Foulkes was
> an amazing chandlery, and stocked an enormous amount of goods which
> were impossible or difficult to find elsewhere, e.g., galvanised
> fittings.

A good selection of galvanized fittings can be had from Indusco in
Baltimore. They were ship chandlers to the Baltimore clippers and are
still in business, although principally rigging suppliers. They have a
great quantity of material of interest to the traditional sailor and I
have used them with good results. You can find them in Thomas Register
or get their number from the phone book or operator. I don't think they
have a web site.

Regards,

David N. Goodchild
--
For the whole story of TOAD HALL
http://www.anyboat.com/toadhall.htm

For shop and building tips from TOAD HALL
http://members.aol.com/buildboats/index.htm

[Goodchild]

[John Wilson]

So someone else misses them. Their store was always a
dump, but their stocks were great, especially if you had
an old boat. I came back on leave from Hong Kong one
year and drove my hire car out to their place - and there
they weren't!

John Wilson

[HiFi]

I miss them too! It is impossible in the USA to find matching parts for
my Brit built boat. We had a similar store here, I think called "J.
Stuart Haft"? They also seem to be gone.

[nnwne...@gmail.com]

On Monday, October 13, 1997 12:00:00 AM UTC-7, Paul Mathews wrote:
> Does anyone know the story of the demise of the
> famous London ship's chandler, Thomas Foulkes, Ltd?
>
> Back in the early 80s, many of us took advantage of
> a high US$ and bought lots of gear from TFL, and I
> always wanted to see the place. However, I took a copy
> of the 1988 catalog along with me to London last week,
> and followed their directions out to Leytonstone to look
> them up. They have vanished without a trace, and the
> locals said that they'd gone bankrupt a few years back.
>


> I'd appreciate hearing any further details. Thanks.
>

> Paul Mathews, KD7ZI

Hi Paul,
I as well I'm sad to hear that they have closed. Working for Air Canada, I used to go very often and was always amazed at the inventory. I would spend hours there, it was like a museum.I think I still have one of their catalogues somewhere in my basement.
Cheers,
Norm

[harr...@googlemail.com]

On Monday, 13 October 1997 08:00:00 UTC+1, Paul Mathews wrote:
> Does anyone know the story of the demise of the
> famous London ship's chandler, Thomas Foulkes, Ltd?
>
> Back in the early 80s, many of us took advantage of
> a high US$ and bought lots of gear from TFL, and I
> always wanted to see the place. However, I took a copy
> of the 1988 catalog along with me to London last week,
> and followed their directions out to Leytonstone to look
> them up. They have vanished without a trace, and the
> locals said that they'd gone bankrupt a few years back.
>
> I'd appreciate hearing any further details. Thanks.
>
> Paul Mathews, KD7ZI

Hi I used to work fr Thomas Foulkes they stopped trading when the bank called in itsoverdraft, after surviving two recessions and two big robberies, well thats banks for you

[denys_j...@hotmail.com]

An amazing trip down memory lane. I had no idea how popular Foulks was with the British provinces overseas. Like all of you commenting I spent many hours perusing the various boating stuff there whilst building my 25 ft sloop in a dock land shed in the east end of London.
Amazing nostalgia but not enough customers with money enough to sustain the business.
There is a moral here as multinationals consume everything in there path ( hitch hikers guide to the galaxy ) watch while all of our much loved small retailers at the corner or under the railway arches disappear.
But where are the Foulks family now. Did they move on and open a marina .

[andrean...@gmail.com]

I'm looking for a particular catalogue which my husband produced for Thomas Ffoulkes Limited where it had special design with the "M" of Thomas, don't know the year but I'd like to get this catalogue for him as a surprise christmas present.

[endless...@gmail.com]

i just found a May 1985 catalogue, in my old filing cabinet. i thought i'd check to see if they were still in business. sad to hear, great place.

[pcwda...@gmail.com]

I worked there too as a Saturday job in the 1970's. Fascinating place.

[moea...@gmail.com]

[carlet...@gmail.com]

My grandmas first cousin was Thomas foulkes grandad the famous inventor of the following filing cabinet.

[mike collins]

On Friday, June 26, 2020 at 4:29:40 PM UTC+1, carlet...@gmail.com wrote:
> My grandmas first cousin was Thomas foulkes grandad the famous inventor of the following filing cabinet.

The demise of Thomas Foulke in Leytonstone was some time ago but his spirit still lives on . The chandlery Barge in Swanick hampshire still provides the real Aladins cave that was Thomas Foulkes, new and second hand gear and Items that are hard to find, and whats more it is still run by members of the Foulkes Family. my first boat was fitted out with parts from Leytonstone and my current boat relies heavily on spares from swanick.

[Tony Collins]

I worked at Foulkes' from 1978-1983, I have great memories of the place and the staff. The highlight was the London Boat show at Earls Court, also did the Southampton show at Mayfair park a few times, however I did miss-out on my turn for the Miami show!

[Danny Jennings]

i worked at thomas foulkes in 1976-77 under the guidance of dave in the desptach departmen who taught me a lot about packing up orders for overeas customers, as well as inventory control, he was a good guy. The chap in the rope department knew more about rope than most of know about life, I think hed had cancer of the throat as he had a voice simulator ( as was in 1970's ) another nice guy, most peole there were good people. i go to know a lot about all the things they sold which was fascinating as a lot come with a story. There were rumours that young tom faulkes i think it was, he was th eboss anyway, had a bad gambling problem and people were worried about their jobs becuas eot it. I alwasy found him a very affable and posh sort of chap and was always amazed how a yatch chandlers arrived under a railway arch in leytonstone! I got promoted to the sales floor which i enjoyeed but left when soemone asked me the sweep the yard. I was 17 and not lazy but didnt feel that it was right, I certainly would do something like that to anyone, bring them up wth a promotion and then slap them down. Overall though it was a great place to work that i often think about.

[Keith Hook]

Hello all, going through some old"Yachting Monthly" and found a January 1985 "Discount" catalogue, so I thought I would look at their website!! No longer. R.I.P.