L. Cornelissen & Son — Attraction in London

Their leather products situated on the countertop are incredible works of craftsmanship. The wallets, notebook covers and storage pouches are better quality and design than any sold by the prestige brands. I have quite a selection. So why the one star review? Because of the sneering condescension and lack of effort to help by the same member of senior staff over the years . Confirmed during my visit today. I wanted another wallet. Like a petulant schoolboy doing a summer job, the senior staff member dismissed my request to check what other colours they have with ‘that’s all we have’. I told him in my experience I’ve always found there are more varieties and colours available in the store room. So he sent someone to check - but he only told me that is what he had done when he started serving someone else and I gave him a look. She came back with a bundle more of what I wanted. But she refused to let me look at them and insisted she leave them with the senior member of staff in the counter. And no apology. A strange culture of customer service. Sometimes smart places breed a heightened sense of self among staff. This is one of them. But the products are great. I’ll buy again but not when those two precious souls...

When I saw the reviews about how rude the sales persons are and how they think they are superior to everyone else who walks into that shop I was relieved because thats exactly how I always feel when I go there. But I keep telling myself that it mightn't be true. I mean do they really not want customers to come into the shop or what?!

I'm a regular customer and whenever I'm in London I buy art supplies from this shop, always more than 200 pounds. Usually everyone is ok. Yesterday, I went and bought more art supplies and someone put another customers stuff on mine. I just looked at it and said nothing and one of the sales persons (female) started chatting with her colleague being sarcastic saying something like so what? I made a mistake. I put it on top. She said it in a loud voice. Really sounding sarcastic.

She probably thinks that its ok to treat a loyal customer like this or is it because I'm an Arab? I don't know why she had to make comments like this about me.

So disrespectful. Make stupid comments make fun be sarcastic but at least dont make people feel uncomfortable when they are trying to buy something from the shop.

So...

Best believe this place has EVERYTHING and everything quality. Definitely for the high end art materials. They sell their own paints but also other brands’ items.

You can refer to my photos but they had all kinds of paints, pastels, brushes, pencils, sketchbooks, pigments, etching materials and other chemicals.

Not pictured, but they also sold canvases and custom canvases.

Besides all that, atmosphere was of course very interesting and felt like you were in a well maintained time capsule.

Place can be squeezy though so be careful, keep your belongings close ! You wouldn’t wanna knock an expensive ol’ bottle of varnish!

Wheelchair accessible, I think (smallish door but flat ground floor).

And if anyone is sensitive to smells, don’t have to worry about that it didn’t really smell like anything (but I also have a perpetually blocked nose so don’t put all your...