Storran Gallery

The Storran was a forward-thinking art gallery which opened c. 1931 and was initially located opposite Harrods in London. It was originally run by Ala Story (1907–1972) but by 1935 Frank Coombs had purchased her part of the business and changed the direction completely, abandoning the woodcuts and greetings cards that were sold there. By 1937 the gallery was managed by the prominent art critic and artist Eardley Knollys. The gallery relocated twice firstly to Fitzroy Street and then 316 Euston Road the same address as the Euston Road School. It was comparatively short-lived and closed in 1941. His partner both in business and domestically was architect and painter Frank Coombs. Coombs was killed while on duty on the HMS Caroline during the Belfast Blitz. It is believed that Knollys was too distraught to continue with the Storran and closed it soon after.

Artists who showed at the Storran included Graham Bell, William Coldstream, Anthony Devas, Ivon Hitchens, Frances Hodgkins, Ivy Langton, Derrick Latymer-Sayer, Lynton Lamb, Victor Pasmore, Glyn Philpot, Claude Rogers, Rupert Shephard, Joan Souter-Robinson and Christopher Wood. Internationally famous artists showed included Raoul Dufy, Maurice Utrillo, Pavel Tchelitchew, Maurice de Vlaminck and Pablo Picasso probably due to Knolly's friendship with the latter.