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
of retail heaven selling fashions for all ages, homeware, food and electronics. For
fashion basics at
reasonable prices,
you can’t beat
M&S — its lingerie
is legendary. There are
smaller branches to be
found across the capital,
so pop in and see what all the fuss is about.

Even before Michael Marks (pictured)
co-founded M&S, department store Liberty had
already opened its doors in 1875 after Arthur Liberty took a �2,000 loan from his future father-in-law for a lease on half a shop at 218a Regent Street. Originally it sold ornaments, fabrics and artwork from Japan and the East; after 18 months, Arthur Liberty had repaid the loan and acquired the second half of the shop.

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.
Covent Garden

T: 020 7240 2107. www.accessorize.com Accessories galore, from pashminas to earrings.

BILL AMBERG

21-22 Chepstow Corner, W2 4XE.
Queensway

T: 020 7727 3560. www.billamberg.com A luxurious leather goods emporium.

CLAIRE’S ACCESSORIES

104-108 Oxford Street, W1D 1LP.
Oxford Circus

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.
South Kensington

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.
Oxford Circus

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
If you don’t mind big spending, this shop has a great range of handbags and shoes.

DEPARTMENT STORES

DEBENHAMS

334-348 Oxford Street, W1C 1JG.
Bond Street

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

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80 W2L SUMMER 2009