British Boot Company
The British Boot Company (formerly known as Holts) is a shoe shop in Camden Town in London notable for being a leading UK stockist of English brands such as Dr Martens, Grinders, Solovair, Gladiator, George Cox, Tredair and NPS.
Holts, the predecessor of British Boot Company, started out in 1851 selling hob nail boots. In the 1980s, the shop changed its name to British Boot Company, but the business is still in the same family.
In the 1970s and 1980s the shop became a mecca for skinheads and punks from all over the world, who came to buy bovver boots or brothel creepers. You could also borrow a marker pen and write messages on the walls that would then be read by other skinhead crews or punk bands on tour.
In the late 1970s, the shop's charismatic owner, Alan Roumana, formed a close association with the local band North London Invaders, who went on to become the pop band Madness. Madness used to buy loafers from the shop, and the band featured the store in their music videos "The Prince" and "The Sun and The Rain". Members of The Clash, Sex Pistols and UK Subs also became regular customers.
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Coordinates: 51°32′22″N 0°08′33″W / 51.53957°N 0.14251°W