Cowling & Wilcox — Local services in London

The store is ok in what's available. The staff seems a bit "don't really care attitude" which is a real shame.🙄 I'll explain.... I went there for the first time to stock up on a few things. I noticed a man was being"helped" by a staff member (🙄again) on a new easel. The customer was obviously not an expert in any way, as he was looking to buy a good quality easel for his wife as a birthday present. The staff member did not try at the slightest to show some sales person enthusiasm to help this man... Further seconds later he just left the man there standing🤦🏻‍♂️. I felt really bad for him and being an artist took it apon myself to step in and give some advice on the item. The man seemed very grateful and did indeed buy the £280 easel and continued to ask me more questions rather than "disturbing" the staff. It's a real shame as he should have received this treatment (I was glad to offer) from a staff member. I later asked a staff member about varnish brushes in which I was simply told... You can use any brush for that... Which again as an artist I know is not quite right.🤯🤯🤯. I was ready to walk after this insulting attitude...but I needed a few things.🎨🖌️🖌️🖌️📏 This stores reputation is not supported by its staff at all. My advice would be that if you know exactly what you want then this store is ok as a supplier only...and yet I'm sure you can get all these items from many other stores. Good luck if you need some...

Has a good selection of art and craft supplies, and is much bigger than you might suspect from the outside. Prices are reasonable, and chances are good you'll find what you're looking for.

Staff at the till are helpful and knowledgeable, although staff round the store seemed keen to ignore my existence. I don't know if that's because of the wheelchair or the way they treat all customers, but it meant I left without some things I'd probably have bought if I could have engaged with a human being before reaching the till, and once there, the queue behind me guaranteed I wouldn't be asking for more.

The lady at the till was charming and helpful, as well as considerate, opening the door to the shop to help me exit before going back to continue serving waiting customers.

It is possible to get a powerchair around most of the shop, with just a couple of areas where the layout effectively means you can't get through or around to see some things, and it is this that prevented me finding for myself the things the floor staff could have helped me with, had they been...

Can we give a massive shout out to the whole team. I visited the store and right upon entry was greeted with the biggest smile, hello and welcome by the team.

While walking through and searching for someone all the team members would smile and say Hi and if needing any help to let them know.

After asking for some help and getting what we wanted, we also got some things that were not on our list (some great deals are in the store).

At the tills we got another great hello from the cashier who welcomed us, after a bit of friendly conversation with Chantelle and we left the store more than happy.

There is a great selection of products and also great deals as well. There was also a calligraphy course going on and will sign up.

I go to alot of art stores in London but this one is by far the best and ticks all the box.

Why go to another store, pay high prices and get next to no service.

Visit this one - guaranteed smiles...