The Hobbit newsagent on Wardour Street reveals its 1970s frontage

Spotted in Soho over the weekend was this lovely old 1970s wooden shop sign for the Hobbit newsagent at 72, Wardour Street, central London.

Previously covered up by some horrid plastic Coca-Cola-advertising shop sign, this natty pale and blue hand painted number has been exposed to the elements for some time.

The newsagent was given its distinctive name in the 1970s by owner Ray Grant as a tribute to the book of the same name.

Sold off to new owners in 2007, the premises were then refurbished and modernised, although The Hobbit name remained intact.

The shop closed down in late 2011 and by the look of things, won’t be reopening any time soon.

Related posts:

Tap Coffee at 193 Wardour Street, Soho, London saves the day ‘Lice Sex Shop,’ bookshops, old hospitals and autumnal London street scenes Derelict shops, Toynbee Street, Spitalfields, London E1 Brixton Windmill reopens to big crowds Abandoned station near Heathrow in the 1970s – can you recognise it? Last remaining Brixton Prime Shop unit awaits its new owners – but will it be another phone shop? Cowboys ahoy! Shoddy workmanship on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton Hard-Fi headline the Electric Brixton reopening party, 20th Sept 2011