Michael Palin And Hilary Mantel Celebrate Foyles' New Store

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 118 months ago
Michael Palin And Hilary Mantel Celebrate Foyles' New Store

Image by raghavvidya on flickr.

London institution Foyles bookshop has been at its current location at 113 Charing Cross Road for a large part of its history. So, naturally, the move to the new flagship store at 107 Charing Cross Road next month deserves a big party.

Tickets went on sale today for the Foyles Grand Opening Festival, the line-up for which reads like a who's who of the London literary circuit.

Double Man Booker prize winner Hilary Mantel will formally open the store on 13 June, with Michael Palin taking care of the travel section on 11 June, and Jarvis Cocker opening the music section on 12 June. Other authors will drop in to discuss their works, such as Sebastian Faulks, who talks about Birdsong on 14 June.

It's not all about the books. There are music events, workshops, film screenings, and more.

Many of the events are free, although there is a charge for some of them. See the full programme and book your tickets here.

The new store is in the former home of Central Saint Martins, and was designed by architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands as 'a bookshop for the 21st century'. There is a 200-seater Auditorium at Foyles for talks and concerts, a purpose-built gallery and a new Café at Foyles, which will all be put into use during the opening festival.

Foyles Grand Opening Festival takes place 11 June-5 July at 107 Charing Cross Road. Tickets, available here, are on sale now.

Last Updated 02 May 2014