Dead trees

I'm sure the anniversary-obsessed BBC will be covering 125 years of Ryman's when it comes in October.

Henry John Ryman opened his first stationery store in 1983 at No 8 Great Portland Street, W1 (formerly an undertaker's premises) and took £50 in the first week. By 1900, he'd acquired No 10, and spread further to No 6 in 1912.

In the 1950s, the store was rebuilt, with new ground floor showrooms, and three upper floors of more stationery, office equipment and furniture. The principal architect was Harry Courtenay Constantine, who also designed the Scala Cinema in King's Cross, and the defunct (only an Italianate tower remains) Angel Cinema on Islington High Street.

Ryman continued operate the site until the 1980s. Now owned by Theo Paphitis, the group has a much smaller shop at 87 Great Portland Street.