Harrods
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The Harrods that we know and love today, despite being a name synonymous with luxury, actually had quite humble beginnings. In 1849, Charles Henry Harrod opened a small store on the site of the current store, and with only two assistants and a messenger boy, built a successful business selling medicines, perfumes, stationary, and fruit and vegetables and soon after expanded into the two adjoining buildings. By 1880, Harrods had gone from having 3 people under their employ to over 100.
One of the most renowned department stores in the world, Harrods is more of a fashion museum and exhibition space than retail department store. The impressive building has 1 million square feet in selling space and covers 4.5 acres. Within this colossal department store are a number of gilded halls, each one winding through its 330 departments, glittering and gleaming as you walk through, delighting tourists and fashionistas alike.
As well as being a mecca for shoppers around the world, Harrods is also world-famous for the Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed memorials. The first, consisting of two photographs of the couple behind a pyramid-shaped display, a wine glass with the Princess’s lipstick on it, and the engagement ring that Dodi had bought the day before they died, can be found at the bottom of the equally famous Egyptian escalator. The second memorial, unveiled in 2005, is a brass statue of the two dancing on a beach entitled “Innocent Victims”. As you can imagine, they are both a tourist must-see when visiting the store.
The motto of Harrods is ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’ meaning “All Things for All People, Everywhere” and this is an ethos that stands true even today. On its busiest days, Harrods welcomes over 100,000 people through its doors, and caters to the most refined tastes in the world. The staff in the department store are usually very helpful, although you may come across the archetypal ‘Pretty Woman Salesgirl’ on your travels, but don’t let that take away from your experience of the store; there are too many beautiful things for you to look at and enjoy!
Located on Brompton Road near Knightsbridge Station, Harrods is near a number of other tourist attractions and places of interest. Across from Harrods is the department store, Harvey Nichols, which also stocks a number of luxury brands as well as high street retailers and merchandise. A number of designer boutiques are also closeby, including Burberry, Prada, and Armani. If shopping begins to take its toll, there are a number of delicious restaurants and cafés nearby that cater to all budgets.
Whether you are a Londoner or a visiting tourist, it is hard not to be attracted to the icon that is Harrods. The feeling of luxury here is unlike anything you may have experienced before. The sumptuous interior and the breathtaking expanse of the store makes this not only a renowned tourist attraction, but also an essential part of the London experience.
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Author: vbasma. Last updated: Sep 23, 2014
Pictures of Harrods
