Leather & Fetish Retail
"To get into the Hoist you had to be wearing leather, rubber, industrial or uniform. It was very much a modern working men's club ... they'd even updated the meat raffle." - John Pendal
If you haven't visited London before, it's worth paying a visit to OLD COMPTON STREET in Soho. Nearest tubes are Piccadilly or Leicester Square. Leather bars are away from the city centre in areas like Vauxhall or Mile End.) The two most famous pubs in Old Compton Street are:
*RECOMMENDED* THE BRITISH BOOT COMPANY - is based at 5 Kentish Town Road, Camden Town, London, NW1 and is one minute's walk from Camden Town tube station. It's a small shop stacked to the ceiling with shoe boxes and a number of lace-up boots on display. This is an essential place to visit for anyone who likes leather boots and shoes, as they have some of the best ranges of stock in the UK and some styles made exclusively just for them. Stock includes Dr Martens, Solovair, Grinders, George Cox, Loake, Tredair, Gladiator, Gripfast, NPS and more. They own the manufacturing rights to Grinders and are the only store that can sell the proper 'made in England' ones. They also stock the Loake Black Leather Brogue Boot worn by Peter Capaldi's incarnation of the Doctor. Probably the best store in the UK for lace-up boots, but they don't sell motorbike or patrol boots. (www.britboot.co.uk)
- THE ADMIRAL DUNCAN at 54 Old Compton Street, which was bombed in 1999.
- COMPTONS is opposite the Admiral Duncan. Has a rougher looking crowd: mostly cropped heads, denim and trainers.
*RECOMMENDED* THE BRITISH BOOT COMPANY - is based at 5 Kentish Town Road, Camden Town, London, NW1 and is one minute's walk from Camden Town tube station. It's a small shop stacked to the ceiling with shoe boxes and a number of lace-up boots on display. This is an essential place to visit for anyone who likes leather boots and shoes, as they have some of the best ranges of stock in the UK and some styles made exclusively just for them. Stock includes Dr Martens, Solovair, Grinders, George Cox, Loake, Tredair, Gladiator, Gripfast, NPS and more. They own the manufacturing rights to Grinders and are the only store that can sell the proper 'made in England' ones. They also stock the Loake Black Leather Brogue Boot worn by Peter Capaldi's incarnation of the Doctor. Probably the best store in the UK for lace-up boots, but they don't sell motorbike or patrol boots. (www.britboot.co.uk)
SILVERMANS sells military clothing, vintage military kit and accessories, outdoor, police/security and motorcycle clothing via their shop at 422-426 Mile End Road, Mile End, London, E1 4PE and online. Stock includes clothing by 5.11 and Schott, MA1 and leather jackets, Magnum boots, flightsuits and backpacks. Definitely worth checking out their website to see the full range. (www.silvermans.co.uk)
BACK ALLEY ARMY STORE - claim to have one the largest catalogues in the UK of army surplus, tactical and survival gear in their online store. (www.backalleyarmystore.co.uk)
GOLDTOP ENGLAND - have been making traditional motorcycle leathers in London since 1951. (www.goldtop.co.uk)
LEWIS LEATHERS - are Britain's oldest motorcycle clothing company. Good place if you're looking for old fashioned leathers/ rockabilly stuff. Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm at 3-5 Whitfield Street, London, W1T 2SA. (www.lewisleathers.com)
*RECOMMENDED* PAUL HENRY KILTS - Kilts designed and sewn to order, made from all sorts of fabrics not just tartan. A traditional tartan kilt will take on average 2 to 4 months to make - including finding the tartan that is right for you. Prices start at £375 for a tartan kilt, but talk to Paul if you want one made from another material. (www.paulhenrykilts.com) Paul can also make ties, scarves and kilts from "Bear Tartan": www.paulhenrykilts.com/The-Bear-Tartan/
RIVERSIDE STUDIOS is an arts complex in Hammersmith, West London which often hosts gay themed films, plays or art exhibitions. Also had a very gay-friendly cafe/ bar. (www.riversidestudios.co.uk)
If you need bandage scissors to go with your ropes or any other medical supplies you could buy them at JOHN BELL & CROYDON, a large medical store at 52-54 Wigmore Street, London, W1. Nearest tube Oxford Circus. (www.johnbellcroyden.co.uk)
Specialist fetish retail outlets in London include:
BACK ALLEY ARMY STORE - claim to have one the largest catalogues in the UK of army surplus, tactical and survival gear in their online store. (www.backalleyarmystore.co.uk)
GOLDTOP ENGLAND - have been making traditional motorcycle leathers in London since 1951. (www.goldtop.co.uk)
LEWIS LEATHERS - are Britain's oldest motorcycle clothing company. Good place if you're looking for old fashioned leathers/ rockabilly stuff. Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm at 3-5 Whitfield Street, London, W1T 2SA. (www.lewisleathers.com)
*RECOMMENDED* PAUL HENRY KILTS - Kilts designed and sewn to order, made from all sorts of fabrics not just tartan. A traditional tartan kilt will take on average 2 to 4 months to make - including finding the tartan that is right for you. Prices start at £375 for a tartan kilt, but talk to Paul if you want one made from another material. (www.paulhenrykilts.com) Paul can also make ties, scarves and kilts from "Bear Tartan": www.paulhenrykilts.com/The-Bear-Tartan/
RIVERSIDE STUDIOS is an arts complex in Hammersmith, West London which often hosts gay themed films, plays or art exhibitions. Also had a very gay-friendly cafe/ bar. (www.riversidestudios.co.uk)
If you need bandage scissors to go with your ropes or any other medical supplies you could buy them at JOHN BELL & CROYDON, a large medical store at 52-54 Wigmore Street, London, W1. Nearest tube Oxford Circus. (www.johnbellcroyden.co.uk)
Specialist fetish retail outlets in London include:
- BREATHLESS (mixed sex) sells latex wear, fabric corsets and some leather clothing at 48 Phoenix Road, King's Cross, London, NW1 1ES. Nearest train station is Kings Cross. Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm. CLOSED SUNDAYS. (www.breathless.uk.com)
- CLONE ZONE sell Mr S Leather (www.clonezonedirect.co.uk/mister-s-leather-at-clonezone/leather)
- COCO DE MER (women) is a luxury erotic boutique providing designer lingerie and other amorous products in Covent Garden. (www.coco-de-mer.com)
- FETCH - fashion & fetish: underwear, shorts, harnesses and more at 6 Voltaire Road, Clapham, SW4 6DH (www.fetchshop.co.uk)
*RECOMMENDED* FETISH FREAK - run by Jonathan (ex-manager of Expectations), at 76 Bolton Crescent, London, SE5 0SE. Highly recommended for leather clothing and accessories. The shop offers a range of hides to match your budget. Other stock includes good selection of Muir caps, leather and rubber (all made in UK), football socks, toys and accessories, and a second hand rail (used jackets, jeans and chaps).
The shop is a five minute walk from Oval underground station (on the Northern line). When leaving the station cross the road and start walking down Camberwell New Road. You'll see The Kennington pub in front of you; look left and you're in Bolton Crescent. The shop has a discrete front with frosted windows and blue paint. It's also a 15 minute walk from Vauxhall Overground/ underground and bus stations - but there are buses every few minutes (no. 36, 185 or 436) - stay on them for 5 stops and get off at Kennington Park. Opening hours Monday 11.30am - 6.30pm, possibly open Tuesday (check in advance), open Weds to Saturday 11.30am - 6.30pm & Sunday noon - 5pm. (www.fetishfreak.co.uk)
The shop is a five minute walk from Oval underground station (on the Northern line). When leaving the station cross the road and start walking down Camberwell New Road. You'll see The Kennington pub in front of you; look left and you're in Bolton Crescent. The shop has a discrete front with frosted windows and blue paint. It's also a 15 minute walk from Vauxhall Overground/ underground and bus stations - but there are buses every few minutes (no. 36, 185 or 436) - stay on them for 5 stops and get off at Kennington Park. Opening hours Monday 11.30am - 6.30pm, possibly open Tuesday (check in advance), open Weds to Saturday 11.30am - 6.30pm & Sunday noon - 5pm. (www.fetishfreak.co.uk)
- LIBERATION (mixed sex) is home to 'Libidex latex' billed as central London's only latex clothing store. Open Monday to Saturday 11am to 7pm at 49 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9HE. (www.liberation-london.com)
- LONDON ALTERNATIVE MARKET (mixed sex) is held on the first Sunday of each month from 12pm to 6pm (last entry at 5:30pm) with an after party in the evening. From August 2024 they meet at Sway Bar, 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5BZ. Nearest tube station is Holborn. Entry £8 for the market, £15 for the market and afterparty in advance, or £20 for the party only on the door. Absolutely no under 18's. No required dress code. (www.londonalternativemarket.com)
- PROWLER RED opened July 2018 at 50 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1D 4UD. (www.prowlerred.com)
- *RECOMMENDED* REGULATION - Leather and Rubber, 13A Bateman Street, Soho, London W1D 3AF. Nearest tube Tottenham Court Road (www.regulation.co.uk). Open Monday - Saturday from 11am and Sunday from noon. A good selection of leather, rubber and kink gear with friendly staff. Competitive prices, too. Leather is both off the peg and made to order. They are rubber specialists - useful if you'd like a made-to-measure outfit of your own design or any inflatable clothing. They also sell Muir caps, rubber waders, a wide range of gas masks and a few styles of Ranger boots. Lots of the leather and rubber is made in their own workshop.
Fetish retailers selling online/ by appointment only include:
- ARTHUR BEALE - ran a shipping chandlers shop in Shaftesbury Avenue for 500 years, which sadly closed June 2021. Now operating online only they sell white ropes of all thickness by the metre, and proper yachting pulleys with very high load ratings - reliable for those who do suspension. They also sell high stress/high load rope as well - not in white though - but again good for suspension. (arthurbeale.co.uk)
- ESMALE - London based online store selling a wide range of adult gear (www.esmale.com)
- FETISH DADDY - Bespoke leather and rubber made to order in a London workshop. Appointments available if you want to visit their studio space. Also run leather & rubber courses online and in-person. (fetishdaddy.co.uk)
- INTO-LATEX - gay-run rubber company based in Manchester. (www.into-latex.co.uk)
- INVINCIBLE RUBBER sell latex and rubber fetish gear. Based in Nottingham, but have a mail order website at www.invinciblerubber.com
- MONKEY SERGEANT - leather clothes and accessories handcrafted in London (www.monkeysergeant.com)
- *RECOMMENDED* RICHARD WILBRAHAM - is a fantastic bespoke leather tailor working at Make Space Studios, Newnham Terrace, Lambeth North, London, SE1 7DR. Definitely the person to contact if you want any leathers created from scratch, altered or repaired. For many years he was the tailor at Expectations and then Fetish Freak. Directions: Leave Lambeth North underground station and cross the road as if you're going to the Hercules pub. Start walking down Hercules Road and almost immediately turn right into Newnham Terrace. At the end of the terrace is a set of steps with pink handrails either side (pictured). Climb the stairs call Richard. He will meet you at the top to take you to his workshop.(www.makespacestudios.com/artist/richard-wilbraham)
- SECOND SKIN - a second hand market place for gay kinksters to buy and sell their fetish gear (secondskin.co)
- SPITFIRE LEATHER (www.spitfireleather.com)
Page updated 18 July 2024
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With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2024 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.
