Foyles's longest-serving bookseller Giles Armstrong retires after 59 years

The longest-serving Foyles bookshop staff member has announced his retirement after almost 60 years with the business.

Giles Armstrong, who started working at Foyles on London’s Charing Cross Road in 1965, will be retiring in September at the age of 82.  

His first job was sorting the mail, before moving to the history department. By the 1970s he was running the biggest English Language department in the UK, responsible for 10% of UK sales in a single shop. 

When Armstrong started, the shop was run by the “infamous Christina Foyle”, who was “famously not the friendliest of bosses”. Armstrong said: “The booksellers went on strike once in 1964, and then Ms Foyle ceased any amicable relationship with her staff.” 

During his working life, Armstrong sold books to the prime minister Margaret Thatcher, media mogul Robert Maxwell and the actor Robert Stephens. 

Foyles is planning to host a “small but lively” retirement party for Mr Armstrong on 8th September, in the Auditorium at Foyles on Charing Cross Road.  

Foyles invites anybody who knows and has worked with Armstrong to join them to celebrate. Email events@foyles.co.uk for further details.