Inside London’s Most Famous Umbrella Shop

Millions of people pass the façade of James Smith & Sons every day, curiously peering into the wood-panelled windows lined with umbrellas of almost every conceivable variety. Some go through the heavy doors, intrigued by the museum-like categorisation of these hand-crafted items, whilst others remain blissfully mystified as their buses glide by. Even black cab drivers taking ‘The Knowledge’ are expected to know it when it pops up on their exams. It’s not surprising,…