10 Facts About Foyles

1.

Foyles was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest bookshop in terms of shelf length, at 30 miles, and for number of titles on display.

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2.

Foyles was famed in the past for its anachronistic, eccentric and sometimes infuriating business practices; so much so that it became a tourist attraction.

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3.

Foyles's refused to install any modern conveniences such as electronic tills or calculators; nor would she allow orders to be taken by phone.

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4.

Foyles is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Essex.

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5.

Foyles' heavily weathered panelling was replaced by a red plastic, grey metal and beech interior.

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6.

Foyles opened a branch at the Royal Festival Hall on London's South Bank in 2005.

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7.

Foyles opened a branch in the Westfield shopping centre, which opened on 30 October 2008 in White City in West London.

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8.

In March 2011 Foyles opened a store in Bristol, its first out-of-London store since before the Second World War.

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9.

In September 2016 Foyles opened a store in the new Chelmsford shopping development.

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10.

Foyles was bought by Waterstones for an undisclosed fee in September 2018; Waterstones is to retain the brand.

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