Soho: A Few Questions
An interview with Barry Fox founder of FoxSoho Maintenance Limited.
Barry was born in: Barking, May 1966 and is adamant that he remembers England winning the World Cup which was the start of his love affair with football, excelling as a schoolboy for Essex and Millwall before gracing the semi-pro ranks and Gray’s FC as a cultured centre-half (if there is such a thing).
After a short spell in the City, an opportunity presented itself and as an accomplished handy-man…a job in maintenance was calling. He joined a maintenance company in Soho in 2000. After establishing a reputation over the years and expanding his skill set he felt the community of Soho would be better served if he foundered his own company, thereafter Fox Soho was established.
Creating FoxSoho Maintenance Limited in 2008 he has never looked back. The role of a maintenance company takes on many challenges requiring a wide range of disciplines, so Barry quickly employed a dedicated team, all bringing the expertise needed to cover a broad spectrum of skills and projects, including Building, Electrics, Plumbing, Decorating, Flooring (visit HERE for details of the full service offering). With the mantra of no job too small, FoxSoho’s reputation grew quickly within Soho, a place that has a unique DNA, not to mention formidable logistical challenges!
Reliability, an eye for detail and basically being a really nice chap has resulted in work flowing in for the last 9 years from hanging a TV to full residential and commercial refurbishments in Soho…Barry tells us he looks forward to every day.
We ask Barry a few questions about Soho and his past:
We can see that you have worked locally in Soho for the last 17 years and run your own business the last 9 years, do you think Soho has changed over this period?
Yes, I have certainly seen change; Soho has been sanitised somewhat and there is less of a seedier element to the place. But they have to be careful not to rip out its soul. It still has a community feel, it’s a real village, although not everyone likes change it is inevitable and sometimes for the better, it is still a thriving area full of life and character and to see that change would be a change too far.
What’s the best part of working and being based in Soho?
When setting up the business an opportunity presented itself to establish an office in Moor Street in the heart of Soho.
Together with nearby storage facilities it means the team and I can travel to work light and have everything at the ready when attending to Soho’s vast array of maintenance jobs and without congestion charges or parking fees, it’s something that is a great advantage for us and a considerable financial saving for customers.
We also have transport available at the facility for the heavier loads and jobs in the neighbouring communities.
To be honest another very enjoyable benefit is having so many great restaurants, bars and clubs around us… it’s a wonder I get home.
Do you have a favourite place in Soho?
Apart from the great restaurants bars and clubs. Architecture has always been an interest and in Soho there is no better place, you can feel the history of the buildings and the great people of the past that have worked and lived in the area, I’m a music lover of most genre so to work in Soho where so many greats have started I feel privileged. Ronnie Scott is a favourite amongst many. I have had the pleasure of working on some very quirky buildings, one being Wedgewood Mews in Greek Street, the old china factory. The diversity in Soho is fantastic.
After a hard day maintaining where can you be found having a well-deserved pint?
Due to the locality of the office in Moor Street we can be found next door in the Spice of Life on Cambridge Circus after a rewarding day, and sometimes after a not so rewarding day.
What’s the weirdest project in Soho you have undertaken over the years?
Disposing of mountains of pornography back in the day before computerisation, sacks and sacks of pictures needed to be shredded, I suppose this period was the start of the sanitisation. After 17 years in Soho supplying general maintenance and the varying array of services including building work, plumbing and electrical work I don’t think anything is weird anymore.
Although you’re situated in Soho would you consider other districts?
Absolutely! We already supply plumbing, electrical and general building services in Covent Garden, Bloomsbury and lots of other central London locations. As I mentioned earlier we keep transport in Soho for that very reason, if we are called upon we will attend any of the Greater London area.
Do not hesitate to Contact Us as no matter how modest or challenging the job or if you’re just looking for advice, we will be delighted help you with any issues you may have as we are local to Soho thus perfectly located to assist.