When I was 5, I was taken to London to see Father Christmas In Selfridges. The huge store, opened at the start of the 20th century seemed like a Palace- especially with the festive lights in Oxford Street, and the colourful window decorations.
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Aged 7, I moved to West Hartlepool. The big store in town was Binns. Not as special - but they had these amazing tubes, and the assistant put your money in, and they were whisked away to somewhere secet while your purchase was carefully wrapped for you
We moved to Norfolk in 1965, and soon after 1960s my parents began taking an annual holiday in Brighton. I loved the British Home Stores. This 1931 Art Nouveau building later became C&A and then Primark. But it felt stylish and elegant
I must be getting old - but I like these old places, with their heavy revolving doors, ladies cloakrooms that merit the term 'powder room', a sense that the staff want to help the customer [and not act as if you are being a nuisance, because you are interrupting their phone conversation] The sort of shop where the Dowager Duchess [played by Maggie Smith, naturally] takes tea in the afternoon, having ordered some new silk camisoles for her grand daughter's birthday, and a picnic hamper for the family's day trip to the coast.
Why all this nostalgia for the department stores of my youth? - because they are departing rapidly. Many High Street stores have moved online, or completely gone out of business. These glorious emporia, with wood panelling, huge windows, chandeliers, and an air of faded grandeur...are fading away.
At best they are being repurposed into luxury apartments or hotels - at worst razed to the ground and replaced by ugly concrete structures. The group "Save Britain's Heritage" has produced a report called "Departing Stores- Emporia at Risk". They want to preserve these buildings in some way. I think this idea has some merit.
"Online, order tonight, get it tomorrow" has become the retail mantra. It is fast, convenient, and often cheaper than going out to the shops. But maybe when you go out for a 'shopping experience' you think a little more carefully before spending your money. And you take time to choose wisely, to try on the garment before paying...
A very interesting post, what beautiful buildings. Unfortunately I don't think we will ever go back to those types of shops the "bottom line" is too important nowadays. You were lucky to have been helped by Amber but I don't think the management would be prepared to invest in the amount of staff needed to provide everyone with this level of service.
ReplyDeleteI think what impressed me particularly was that Amber told us that the main "Personal Shopper" was busy with another customer, but that she would do her best to help us. Definitely 'going the extra mile'
DeleteHere in Newcastle upon Tyne we are lucky to have the flagship Fenwick's store with its magnificent Christmas window display, and John Lewis (formerly Bainbridge's).
ReplyDeleteWe've lost Debenhams in the MetroCentre, but Next seems to be taking over dome of the old department store territory.
You are definitely right about Next - their main store in Oxford Street London now has 'concessions' inside, e.g. Gap, which has been online-only for a long time.
DeleteWhen I was young, Truro had two beautiful shops, not exactly emporiums but still lovely. The accessories such as kid gloves and scarves were kept under glass covers and often displayed with a silk rose or two. The most exciting thing was a 'floorwalker'. I dont know what the proper term is, but he was there to politely assist customers, or to point out something for them. Dresses in tails, as i remember, he was the epitome of elegance. Now one of the stores is Wilko and the other one Poundland. How the mighty are fallen!
ReplyDeleteI had a relation who was a floorwalker for M&S back in the 1950s. She too was very elegant, and clearly a cut above the regular assistants. Many of these emproria are now Wilko, Poundland or Primarks. I do hope they retain the lovely architecture
DeleteThe biggest loss to Princes Street in Edinburgh was the closure of Jenners Department Store. A real baronial icon, now sadly standing empty and abandoned.
ReplyDeleteOh I remember going in Jenners - the 'Harrods of the North' about 20 years ago. It is sad to think of that lovely building deserted and falling into disrepair.
DeleteI love family run department stores and agree that it is so much more satisfying to see and touch items before buying. I have so often been disappointed by the quality of online purchases.
ReplyDeleteI agree - some things need to be properly seen and handled before committing our hard earned cash. There are some dreadful stories about faulty internet purchases.
DeleteI remember as a kid being taken to Liverpool by my grandmother. She went because there was a particular brand of stockings she wanted that were inexpensive if she went to Blacklers, but for me, it was always about getting lunch at British Home Stores. Right up to the end of their time, I used to look at BHS as somewhere to always check out. I had their china and got a load of clothes - and I always, always stocked up on their wrapping paper after Christmas. I feel that we lost a lot of traditions when they went, and it's sad that others are going too.
ReplyDeleteOne of my memories as a child was of Bentalls in Kingston-on-Thames. My grandmother took me to the Silver Cafe for an ice cream sundae and I chose, unknowingly, one with candied ginger, and didn't like it (fine with it now as an adult). Grandmother bought me a different sundae and finished my rejected one along with her own! Years later, at least 5 years into our life in Canada, I returned to Bentalls to have afternoon tea with my grandmother and great-aunt, and we had toasted teacakes and tea from a silver tea service in the Palm Court restaurant. My already north Americanized inner reaction was how quaint and wonderful it all was! Only in certain cities here can you find such elegance, although from time to time a good British style tea shop has popped up, even in our town.
ReplyDeleteBentalls and John Lewis in Kingston was a favourite 'awayday' for me and one of my friends. We had just enough time between dropping out children at school and collecting them at 3.30 for coffee, lunch and a proper look round!
DeleteI suppose one might still find the type of personal shoppers and helpful assistants you describe in certain shops in Beverly Hills, but, not in the stores where I shop! From personal experience, I know I am more likely to be followed around the store by a security guard than a helpful shop assistant! :D Yes, it has happened. Nothing was said, but, there was no mistake in what was implied.
ReplyDeleteTo be followed like that is horrible
DeleteI was just talking with a colleague about the loss of stores and how Amazon seems to be taking over here in the US. He pointed out that Amazon is now opening physical stores and someday the only place left to shop will be Amazon, online or at a store. Uh.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason for us to support small local businesses IMHO.
DeleteI'm just growling at the reference to Amazon above. Oh, how I loathe Amazon! I just WON'T buy from them and I don't care how unpopular it makes me, nobody in my life is allowed to get away with mentioning them without the talk! Work colleagues, family, friends....
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a great department store in Ilford called Fairheads. It was brilliant! Their Christmas decorations were the best. Sadly, it closed in the 2000's after Fairhead Junior didn't want to take it on....after 100 years of the store . I believe Bodgers is stilk going in Ilford although that may have changed. I used to LOVE going to Debenhams and Allders before that in Ilford Exchange.
I couldn't believe that John Lewis spent so much money on their flagship store in Birmingham (SiL was engineer on it) and then it closed so soon.
JL in Chelmsford always looks quiet too.
In Westcliff, there is still a brilliant Men's clothing shop called White's which has that trad look and feel!
I think that Norwich has done well to keep both Jarrolds AND John Lewis - but I guess that here in Norfolk, a lot of people travel into the city for "serious" shopping. As a student, I used to enjoy OwenOwens in Coventry, and in my PGCE year, Selfridges in Oxford. If I was meeting someone after lectures I'd go to the perfume counter and ask to try one of the more expensive fragrances so I smelt good for my date!
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