A beloved shop, which has been run for decades by the family of the man who created children’s character Bagpuss, has gone up for sale.
The Firmin family opened the Cosmo China store in Canterbury in 1992 but closed it down earlier this year.
It dealt in bespoke handmade and painted china, with four out of six of Peter Firmin’s children – Josie, Charlotte, Emily and Katy – contributing to the day-to-day running.
A legend of Canterbury, Mr Firmin was best known for creating hit children’s TV shows Bagpuss and The Clangers, with fellow city man Oliver Postgate.
Emily Firmin, an artist who would often paint for the shop, even featured in a series of Victorian-style photographs played in the opening sequence of Bagpuss.
However, it was announced the venue would shut for good at the end of March, when sister Charlotte decided to retire from running it.
Founder Josie Firmin told KentOnline: “I’m getting old, that’s the bottom line of it.
“It worked when it was family-run, but when you have to pay front-of-house staff, it doesn’t work.
“Financially, it doesn’t make any sense; it’s not that busy.
“We’re very sad to see it go, but it’s a part of life.”
Now the premises in Palace Street have been listed for sale by Charles Bainbridge estate agents for £425,000.
The property is described as “a most attractive Grade II-listed period building set in the colourful King’s Mile area of the city”.
Charlotte Firmin previously said how Palace Street, The Borough and Northgate are “fascinating multi-cultural areas now compared with when we first opened”.
“There are plenty of places on the King’s Mile with pavement seating where you can watch the world go by,” she added.
Speaking to Canterbury BID when celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2022, Charlotte also revealed how the death of Pope John Paul II led to the creation of one of their most famous pieces – a mug.
“When Charles and Camilla’s wedding was postponed in 2005, the original date was crossed out and the new one added,” she said.
“We got so much publicity in the press and on TV that there was a queue outside the shop.
“The mug featured as ‘an antique of the future’ in Miller’s Antique guide that year.”
As well as retail space, the building benefits from storage space in the basement, a garden, and a two-bedroom home spread across its top two floors.
Cosmo China’s original branch in London, which is run by Josie and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, will remain open.
