New Orbital

To Orbital's new shop in Great Newport Street.

Unfortunately I overslept and missed the 10.30am opening bell, but Orbital stalwart Damian informs me that there was a queue of people waiting outside long before the doors opened - Amazing what the promise of a 50% off sale and a free goodie bag can do.

By the time I did eventually roll up (around oneish) most of the back issue bargains I had been hoping to pick up had gone, but the opening day party was still in full swing with costumed extras aplenty doing their bit to get people into the shop...

Err, yeah that's me doing a passable impression of fat Dan Dreiberg. 

Hurrm.

Anyway, as the shot above shows, the finishing touches are still being put to the new premises, but I can report that it's a MASSIVE improvement on the the subterranean shop that Orbital used to occupy. Obviously the fact that it's above ground helps, but there's also a heck of a lot more space in the new gaffe meaning that the staff can get a bigger chunk of their extensive back issue stock out onto the shop floor and, in time, ramp up their selection of trades.

Sensibly, the new comics have been positioned at the front of house in the brightest spot in the shop...

The back issues are further back, and interestingly Orbital have chosen to use the back room of the premises as a gallery which is currently decked out in some STUNNING Chris Weston splash pages from The Twelve. I took lots of photos, but like the twat I am managed to delete most of them by accident on the way home. Gahhh, you'll just have to trust me when I tell you it's worth a visit just to check out the Weston stuff. The man is a legend. 

The staff are the same friendly, knowledgeable bunch that inhabited the old place. They've clearly worked hard on the new shop and early impressions suggest that they've done a very good job. Definitely a welcome addition to London's comic scene.