Legendary London shops; Fortnum and Mason
February 7th 2008 19:56
Fortnum and Mason’s department store is one of London’s most luxurious and oldest. It has survived over three decades in its Picadilly location and its history is closely linked to London’s and indeed to England’s.
William Fortnum began his career in 1705 as a footman in the Royal palace of Queen Anne. Part of his job was to replace the royal family’s used candles, which he then cunningly on-sold to other servants. In 1907, he persuaded his landlord, Hugh Mason, to go into business with him and together they established Fortnum and Mason’s Emporium in Piccadilly The business ran successfully and profitably for almost fifty years.
In 1761, William Fortnum's grandson Charles became official Royal provender to Queen Charlotte. With Royalty behind it and with a new range of merchandise including exotic teas and spices imported from India, luxury items and pre-prepared meals, Fortnum and Masons boomed and its reputation as a prestigious, luxury establishment was sealed.
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Royal and government patronage continued into the 19th century. Fortnum and Mason became official suppliers of preserved foods to British Officers during the Napoleonic Wars. It catered for state functions at the Court of Queen Victoria and during the Crimean war shipped beef tea to Florence Nightingale’s hospitals. At this time the store also began to deliver its famous luxury picnic hampers to Victorian high society at events like the Henley Regatta and the Ascot Races. The Fortnum hampers were hugely popular and their fame spread even to the literarti. Charles Dickens, writing of the Epsom Derby said "Look where I will.... I see Fortnum & Mason. All the hampers fly wide open and the green downs burst into a blossom of lobster salad!”.
Fortnum’s success grew and its fame spread in the 20th century. Its fare featured during the Great Exhibition at the beginning of the new age. During World War II, it supplied food to the British troops and furthermore guaranteed to hold open the jobs of Fortnum staff serving in the forces. In 1922, it supplied the first expedition to Everest. A refurbishment of the store in 1925 saw new departures into a range of different stock, like clothing, kitchen wear and perfumes. In 1931, in response to a growing U.S. demand for Fortnam and Mason’s products, a branch was opened in New York. Demand from visiting overseas dignitaries for King George’s jubilee in 1935, prompted Fortnum’s to begin importing the foreign delicacies which soon became one of its hallmarks. During the Second World War, the Officers department opened, selling officer's requirements like special cigarettes and silver-plated sporks.
The 20th century also saw the end of the Fortnum and Mason family association with the store. It was acquired by Canadian W. Garfield Weston, who became its chairman. In 1964, as a tribute to the founders he commissioned the huge four-ton clock which hangs above the entrance and from which four foot models of William Fortnum and Hugh Mason emerge at the chime of every hour to bow to each other.
Currently, Fortnum and Mason’s is run by Garfield Weston’s granddaughters Jana Weston Khayat and Kate Weston Hobhouse and last year it celebrated 300 years in business with a massive 24 million pound refurbishment. Today it is a very grand establishment, selling all kinds of beautiful things from gentlemen’s silk socks to serviettes. There are four excellent and very popular restaurants, including a much celebrated Tea Room. However, Fortnum’s fame still rests largely on its centuries old reputation as a provider of fine foods. It still stocks its famous teas, foreign and exotic delicacies and pre-prepared meals and it still delivers luxury hampers to every occasion from christenings and Christmas to historic races and regattas.
Fortnum’s window and shop displays are works of art and all its merchandise is exquisitely packaged and presented. If you can’t find anything you need, want or can afford, it’s a great place to wander, browse, marvel, soak up the history and the atmosphere, people-watch and, yes, even take photos.
The Fortnum and Masom clock
William Fortnum began his career in 1705 as a footman in the Royal palace of Queen Anne. Part of his job was to replace the royal family’s used candles, which he then cunningly on-sold to other servants. In 1907, he persuaded his landlord, Hugh Mason, to go into business with him and together they established Fortnum and Mason’s Emporium in Piccadilly The business ran successfully and profitably for almost fifty years.
The stairwell
In 1761, William Fortnum's grandson Charles became official Royal provender to Queen Charlotte. With Royalty behind it and with a new range of merchandise including exotic teas and spices imported from India, luxury items and pre-prepared meals, Fortnum and Masons boomed and its reputation as a prestigious, luxury establishment was sealed.
Spring window display
.
Royal and government patronage continued into the 19th century. Fortnum and Mason became official suppliers of preserved foods to British Officers during the Napoleonic Wars. It catered for state functions at the Court of Queen Victoria and during the Crimean war shipped beef tea to Florence Nightingale’s hospitals. At this time the store also began to deliver its famous luxury picnic hampers to Victorian high society at events like the Henley Regatta and the Ascot Races. The Fortnum hampers were hugely popular and their fame spread even to the literarti. Charles Dickens, writing of the Epsom Derby said "Look where I will.... I see Fortnum & Mason. All the hampers fly wide open and the green downs burst into a blossom of lobster salad!”.
A Fortnum's hamper
Fortnum’s success grew and its fame spread in the 20th century. Its fare featured during the Great Exhibition at the beginning of the new age. During World War II, it supplied food to the British troops and furthermore guaranteed to hold open the jobs of Fortnum staff serving in the forces. In 1922, it supplied the first expedition to Everest. A refurbishment of the store in 1925 saw new departures into a range of different stock, like clothing, kitchen wear and perfumes. In 1931, in response to a growing U.S. demand for Fortnam and Mason’s products, a branch was opened in New York. Demand from visiting overseas dignitaries for King George’s jubilee in 1935, prompted Fortnum’s to begin importing the foreign delicacies which soon became one of its hallmarks. During the Second World War, the Officers department opened, selling officer's requirements like special cigarettes and silver-plated sporks.
Gentlemen's luggage
The 20th century also saw the end of the Fortnum and Mason family association with the store. It was acquired by Canadian W. Garfield Weston, who became its chairman. In 1964, as a tribute to the founders he commissioned the huge four-ton clock which hangs above the entrance and from which four foot models of William Fortnum and Hugh Mason emerge at the chime of every hour to bow to each other.
The Food Hall
Currently, Fortnum and Mason’s is run by Garfield Weston’s granddaughters Jana Weston Khayat and Kate Weston Hobhouse and last year it celebrated 300 years in business with a massive 24 million pound refurbishment. Today it is a very grand establishment, selling all kinds of beautiful things from gentlemen’s silk socks to serviettes. There are four excellent and very popular restaurants, including a much celebrated Tea Room. However, Fortnum’s fame still rests largely on its centuries old reputation as a provider of fine foods. It still stocks its famous teas, foreign and exotic delicacies and pre-prepared meals and it still delivers luxury hampers to every occasion from christenings and Christmas to historic races and regattas.
The food hall
Fortnum’s window and shop displays are works of art and all its merchandise is exquisitely packaged and presented. If you can’t find anything you need, want or can afford, it’s a great place to wander, browse, marvel, soak up the history and the atmosphere, people-watch and, yes, even take photos.
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One of my dreams is to have a Fortnum and Mason picnic!
I have bought some fo their produce out here of course, but it pales into insignificance with the thought of being there!
And how sad, the original founder's family bowing out all those years ago, probably the usual cause, their decendants were too used to lazing away the day on their forebear's money to actually do work to upkeep it!
cheers and another wonderful post!
fog