Kingson's Limited

Comments

Comment: I remember the Beckenham branch... you could listen to tunes upstairs in little booths. My mum bought a radiogram here when we moved to Beckenham from Norwood in 1965. When it arrived it turned out to be just a 'gram' with no radio. Just like my mum to buy something based on its appearance and not how practical it was.

In 1973 I bought Black Sabbath Volume 4 (after listening to them for the very first time in one of those booths, with my mate Bev).
(8 September 2013)

Name: Jeff Watt
Comment: It was there, when I was just 12 going on 13 that my cousin, then aged 15 - and I (who were serious about our beat group and our music from the start) - this was back in early 1964 - and we priced our first musical instrument in Kingsons, Beckenham: an alto sax (which we knew we'd have to save a lot of pocket money and paper round money to buy!) and there we bought our first sheet music (all of which I still have) and a pair of bongos (which I also still have): I have many, many other musical instruments now and can play them all, and no, I never gave up at all on my music - though it's not my primary livelihood. Those were the days indeed!
(2019)

Dave Harwood

31 Oct 2023 at 09:54

I found an advert in the 'Lewisham Borough News' dated 13th September 1955: “KINGSONS proudly announce the opening of Lewisham's largest GRAMOPHONE RECORD showrooms at 203 HIGH STREET (Opposite the Prince of Wales Cinema) S.E.13. Come and see the finest record library for miles around, the pick of the best instruments, the modern salons in which you can hear your favourite records in comfort. All tastes are catered for.”

Dave Harwood

26 Mar 2025 at 02:34

I found this in the 'Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette' dated 16th September 1955: “203 HIGH STREET (Opposite the Prince of Wales Cinema) S.E.13 - Come and see the finest record library for miles around, the pick of the best instruments, the modern salons in which you can hear your favourite records in comfort. All tastes are catered for fully, quickly and courteously. Our special flair is for records and gramophones but we have also a fine choice of up-to-the-minute radio and television receivers of all makes. Thousands of titles! KINGSONS, 203 HIGH STREET, LEWISHAM (LEE Green 6628) Established 30 years. Agents for MURPHY, BUSH, EKCO, PYE, McMICHAEL. etc. Branches at 389 QUEEN'S ROAD, S.E.14 (NEW 2352); 225 BROMLEY ROAD, S.E.2 (HIT 1201); 2 BROWNHILL ROAD. S.E.6 (HIT 4042); 77a RUSHEY GREEN, S.E.6 (HIT 5519); 5 THE BROADWAY, BECKENHAM, KENT (BEC 2917). Think of a tune you'll find it at KINGSONS.”
...and this in the 1st March 1957 edition:
“KINGSONS - All the latest SILVESTER Recordings in stock LONG-PLAYING, EXTENDED PLAYING and STANDARD 78. 203 LEWISHAM HIGH STREET; 77a RUSHEY GREEN, CATFORD; 5 THE BROADWAY, BECKENHAM.”
...and this in the 'Croydon Advertiser' dated 17th October 1958:
“KINGSONS 1447 LONDON ROAD, NORBURY, S.W.16 (Recently opened) POLlards 1015; 132, HIGH STREET, PENGE, S.E.20. SYDenham 5992; 77a, RUSHEY GREEN, CATFORD, S.E.6. HITher Green 5519; 5, THE BROADWAY, BECKENHAM, KENT. BECkenham 2917; 225, BROMLEY ROAD, CATFORD, S.E.6. HITher Green 1201; 203, LEWISHAM HIGH ST., LEWISHAM, S.E.13. LEE 6628; 389, QUEEN'S ROAD, NEW CROSS, S.E.14. NEW X 2352; 2, BROWNHILL ROAD, CATFORD, S.E.6. HITher Green 4042; 128, HIGH STREET, WELLING, KENT. Bexleyheath 1850; 37, BELLEGROVE ROAD, WELLING, KENT. Bexleyheath 3977.”
...plus this in the 'Evening News (London) dated 20th January 1970:
“SENIOR RECORDS SALESLADY required to control Independent gramophone record department. Beckenham area. Experience in buying and stock control essential. Also Assistant Sales Lady required. Experience not necessary. Permanent position, Top wages and commission. Telephone for immediate appointment, Miss June Hazel, Kingsons, 224 Beckenham High Street, Beckenham, Kent. Tel: 01-650 8027.”