Brave new world

Despite the recent smoking ban there are some surprising things going on at London’s oldest cigar merchant

Perhaps the main advocates of the smoking ban had expected the cigar industry to roll over and die in the months following its introduction.

However in London JJ Fox and Robert Lewis has finished an exciting eight week project which marks the shop’s commitment to the smoking public.

Manager Paul Beilby says the development shows that the landmark specialist retailer is positively minded about the future.

He adds: “Basically we wanted to create a cigar room at the back of the shop, move the museum down stairs and use it as a private smoking room.

“We have installed some extractor fans for it is quite comfortable in there for six or so people smoking. This is what we are allowed to do in the shop, sampling for education.”

Situated in the heart of London’s St James’s Street, it has long been said that the shop is the refined and beating heart of the capital’s smoking world.

While still keeping the main body of the shop in its traditional tobacconists style, Paul says he wanted to upgrade the cigar storage areas to appeal to the needs of modern smokers.

He continues: “With the cigar room I wanted to have all our stock in there, some several thousand boxes, so that if a customer wanted say a box of Montecristo No.2s they would have the choice of about 20 boxes and could see all of them.

“The lounge area in the shop is more defined. It is not just a few chairs, it is now a relaxing area to smoke in.

“There is also a big screen where people can watch cigar DVDs and learn a.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Rob Allanson

Section : Spotlight

Page number : 6

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 12 on 12/09/2007.

This article is 17 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Brave new world Despite the recent smoking ban there are some surprising things going on at London’s oldest cigar merchant Perhaps the main advocates of the smoking ban had expected the cigar industry to roll over and die in the months following its introduction. However in London JJ Fox and Robert Lewis has finished an exciting eight week project which marks the shop’s commitment to the smoking public. Manager Paul Beilby says the development shows that the landmark specialist retailer is positively minded about the future. He adds: “Basically we wanted to create a cigar room at the back of the shop, move the museum down stairs and use it as a private smoking room. “We have installed some extractor fans for it is quite comfortable in there for six or so people smoking. This is what we are allowed to do in the shop, sampling for education.” Situated in the heart of London’s St James’s Street, it has long been said that the shop is the refined and beating heart of the capital’s smoking world. While still keeping the main body of the shop in its traditional tobacconists style, Paul says he wanted to upgrade the cigar storage areas to appeal to the needs of modern smokers. He continues: “With the cigar room I wanted to have all our stock in there, some several thousand boxes, so that if a customer wanted say a box of Montecristo No.2s they would have the choice of about 20 boxes and could see all of them. “The lounge area in the shop is more defined. It is not just a few chairs, it is now a relaxing area to smoke in. “There is also a big screen where people can watch cigar DVDs and learn a..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Rob Allanson Section : Spotlight Page number : 6 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 12 on 12/09/2007. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 17 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2009. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.