LISTINGS SHOPPING Shopping: Rule Britannia With the mighty Marks & Spencer reaching the grand old age of 125 this year, Katie Reich-Storer delves into the history of a selection of London’s best-loved shops From humble beginnings in 1884 as a market stall in Leeds selling nails, screws, soap, wooden spoons and luggage labels for a penny, to the giant of today with more than 600 UK stores, Marks & Spencer (M&S) is a much-loved British institution. Its branch at London’s Marble
Arch is the company’s largest,
with around 170,000sq ft Even before Michael Marks (pictured) Today, behind the store’s traditional exterior, Liberty houses a wide range of cutting-edge clothes, accessories, homeware and beauty products from some of the world’s leading designers and is a premier shopping outlet for visitors and Londoners alike. Older still, Harrods in Knightsbridge is one of London’s most iconic stores. It fi rst opened for business in 1849 as a grocery store with just two assistants and is now one of the capital’s most visited attractions, with people fl ocking from all over the world to shop here. But the grandad of all London stores is Fortnum & Mason, which was founded on the same site in Piccadilly back in 1707, when it sold left-over candle wax from the household of Queen Anne. Since then, it has gained a worldwide reputation for high-quality goods in traditional surroundings, selling everything from food and drink to fashion and beauty. So, next time you’re in the capital and your companion prefers to visit a museum than go shopping, you can combine the two by visiting some of London’s most historical stores. Any excuse... SHOPPING
ACCESSORIES ACCESSORIZE The Market, Covent Garden, WC2 8AH. T: 020 7240 2107. www.accessorize.com
Accessories galore, from pashminas to earrings. BILL AMBERG 21-22 Chepstow Corner, W2 4XE. T: 020 7727 3560. www.billamberg.com
A luxurious leather goods emporium. CLAIRE’S ACCESSORIES 104-108 Oxford Street, W1D 1LP. T: 020 7580 5504. www.claires.co.uk
Cheap and cheerful accessories. HOLTS LAPIDARY 98 Hatton Garden, EC1N 8NX. Farringdon T: 020 7405 5286. www.holtsgems.co.uk
Nestled in the heart of Hatton Garden, Holts
sells beautiful gems and jewellery. JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 171-175 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AJ. T: 020 7584 4648. www.jeanpaul-gaultier.com
Sells all the designer’s creations, including
perfumes, handbags and sunglasses. MULBERRY 41-42 New Bond Street, W1S 2RY. T: 020 7491 3900. www.mulberry.com
Luxurious leather accessories, from the latest
must-have handbags to belts and luggage. TANNER KROLLE 43 Berkeley Square, W1J 5AP. Green Park/Bond Street T: 020 7529 5822. www.tannerkrolle.co.uk DEPARTMENT STORES DEBENHAMS 334-348 Oxford Street, W1C 1JG. T: 0844 561 6161. www.debenhams.com With the introduction of its affordable Designers At Debenhams ranges, this store has been re-invented into a real contender. IMAGES: MARKS & SPENCER; SEL RIDGES F 80 W2L SUMMER 2009 |