UK's most iconic department store plots its first shops outside London after 318 years in business
The upmarket store currently has four UK stores that are all based in the capital.
2
2
Fortnum & Mason was established 318 years ago in 1707 and was founded by William Fortnum, a footman for Queen Anne, and Hugh Mason, his landlord.
The pair started operating from a small store in St James Market and a spare room in Mason's house.
The store quickly became known for its innovative and high-quality products, appealing to the tastes of the affluent and aristocratic clientele.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Fortnum & Mason expanded its offerings, becoming a purveyor of fine foods, wines, and spirits.
Currently, Fortnum & Mason has stores in Piccadilly, St Pancras station, the Royal Exchange in Bank and in Heathrow Terminal.
But now the upmarket department store is thinking about venturing outside of the capital.
The retailer said earlier this year that it was no longer seen as a 'Christmas focused' business as shoppers were snapping up its luxury food products to 'stock their own larders' throughout the year.
The retailer's chief executive Tom Athron told The Telegraph that he would be interested in having branches 'up the spine of the country'.
He said the business would look at sites in a 'beautiful location' with 'beautiful architecture'.
'This isn't about ubiquity. But there are other locations across the country where we think that Fortnum could offer both retail and restaurants, where it would be relevant.
The Viking Centre: Britain's first American-style mall faces demolition
"And we're looking at those now,' Athron said.
The news comes as the retailer says there is a surge in demand for its luxury teas, biscuits and jam.
The store underwent a significant refurbishment in 2007, celebrating its 300th anniversary with a rejuvenated look that honoured its storied past.
History of Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason was established 318 years ago in 1707.
It was founded by William Fortnum, a footman for Queen Anne, and Hugh Mason, his landlord.
The pair started operating from a small store in St James Market and a spare room in Mason's house.
The department store eventually set up shop at its current location at 181 Piccadilly.
One of Fortnum & Mason's earliest claims to fame was its invention of the Scotch egg in 1738, a portable and filling snack ideal for travellers.
The store quickly became known for its innovative and high-quality products, appealing to the tastes of the affluent and aristocratic clientele.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Fortnum & Mason expanded its offerings, becoming a purveyor of fine foods, wines, and spirits.
It was also during this period that the store became renowned for its hampers, which were meticulously curated and became a staple of British festivities and picnics.
These hampers were often sent to British troops during times of conflict, providing a comforting taste of home.
By the Victorian era, Fortnum & Mason had firmly established itself as a symbol of British luxury.
The store's association with the royal family was further cemented when it was granted its first Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria.
This distinguished honour recognised Fortnum's as a supplier of goods to the royal household, a tradition that continues to this day.
The 20th century saw Fortnum & Mason adapting to the changing times while maintaining its commitment to quality and tradition.
During both World Wars, the store remained open, offering solace and a sense of continuity to Londoners. Post-war, the store further diversified its range, introducing new departments and expanding its international reach.
In more recent years, Fortnum & Mason has continued to evolve, embracing modernity while preserving its heritage.
The store underwent a significant refurbishment in 2007, celebrating its 300th anniversary with a rejuvenated look that honoured its storied past.
Today, it offers a wide array of products, from gourmet foods and fine teas to exquisite homewares and beauty products.
It offers a wide array of products, from gourmet foods and fine teas to exquisite homewares and beauty products.
is set to open more shops.
Earlier this year ASOS also revealed plans to relaunch a Topshop website.
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Lidl is selling a range of camping gadgets that are perfect for the hot weather including cool box and chairs
LIDL is selling a range of budget-friendly camping gadgets as Brits soak up the sunny weather. The discount supermarket chain is stocking kids' sleeping bags and chairs, cool boxes and even an air mattress. 4 The new range will be perfect for camping during the end of summer and autumn and getting outdoors to make the last of the year's light. There are 30 items Crivit Camping range that range from air mattresses to cool boxes. And some even have a discount attached to them. For example, the camping cutlery set selling for £9.99 now has 20 per cent with Lidl Plus and is selling for £7.99. The Crivit Aluminium Camping Table normally sells for £24.99, but with the Lidl Plus card is currently selling for £19.99. The air mattress in a double size is selling for £14.99, while sleeping bags are selling for £12.99. A range of four cool bags are selling for £3.99 while backpacks are selling for £14.99. It comes after Crivit released a number of tents and festival gear for summer at Lidl several months ago. The incredible Crivit camping range has everything festival-goers need to set themselves up in the Wilderness, including the 4-Person Blackout Tent – popping up in stores for just £99.00 with Lidl Plus. Crivit was even selling stand up paddleboards at supermarkets. Lidl's $50 Hammock: Summer Comfort That Won't Break the Bank The Crivit All-Round Inflatable SUP is priced at just £99.99, and was available at Lidl stores from Thursday May 29. This bargain bed comes after Lidl have begun selling ice cool gel pillows that are easy to use and would be perfect for keeping cool on those hot car trips. For just £7.99 on the Lidl plus app, shoppers can get their hands on the Silentnight Cooling Gel Pillow Pad. That's more than £12 cheaper than a similar product on Argos, with the low price available until June 7. Described as perfect for restless sleepers and over heaters, the pillow give you instant cooling comfort, so you don't need to flip your pillow during the night. At 60x40cm it covers your entire pillow and simply needs to be slid inside your pillowcase on top of your normal pillow. How to save money on summer essentials SUNNIER days and warmer weather will leave many of us wanting to kit out gardens and outdoor areas. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a great deal on summer essentials… It pays to know how to bag big savings on the likes of hot tubs paddling pools, egg chairs and outside bars. Many retailers have flash sales across entire ranges – often this ties into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends. Sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. Keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items such as beach gear and paddling pools. If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart and leaving it for a couple of days. Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount. Always check if you can get cashback before paying. It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback. 4
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Dragons' Den icon Theo Paphitis warns 'high streets will not survive if shops are hit in next Budget'
Dragons' Den icon Theo Paphitis has warned of mass closures if shops are hit even harder at the next Budget. The businessman, who owns the stationary chain Ryman, issued a stark warning that the UK high street may not survive further tax hikes. Companies are already being hit with hefty business rates - with speculation growing Chancellor Rachel Reeves may pile on the pain in the autumn. Mr Paphitis highlighted the immense burden smaller businesses are carrying compared to online giants who are paying 'next to nothing'. Firms have also been battered by hikes in National Insurance contributions and an inflation-busting increase in the minimum wage which came into effect in April. Writing in The Sun, Mr Paphitis said: 'After everything the high street has been through, asking it to carry even more weight would be the final straw for many. 'The government must ensure that no shop pays more in the upcoming Autumn Budget.' He added: 'Once a shop shuts, it is far harder and costlier to bring it back, meaning each closure represents a long-term wound to the health of the high street.' Mr Paphitis has previously criticised the business rates system, which he says the government has failed to properly reform. He argued that it unfairly hits bricks and mortar businesses, while online and technology giants only face the tax on their warehouses. Mr Paphitis's comments come as store closures this year are predicted to top 17,000 this year. It is the highest figure since the Centre for Retail Research (CRR), which compiled the report, began collecting the data in 2015 and follows the closure of 13,479 stores last year. The vast majority of closed shops in 2024 – 11,341 – were independent retailers, a 45.5 per cent jump against the previous year. Business leaders have called for the Chancellor to 'urgently' change course with her tax-raising policies to prevent British high streets from becoming ghost towns. The CRR's forecast of 17,350 store closures would make 2025 worse than 2022, when the withdrawal of government support measures following the pandemic caused 17,151 shops to close. Around 16,145 stores shut their doors at the height of lockdown in 2020. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR previously said: 'Whilst the results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse to come in 2025.' Of the predicted 2025 figure, the vast majority of store closures, 14,660, are expected to be independent retailers. These firms usually operate on very tight profit margins and may not have enough cash to cover the cost of the Treasury's tax raid and minimum wage hikes. 'This is a tragic scenario that we warned the government could come to pass if they did not change course,' said Andrew Goodacre, head of the British Independent Retailers Association. He added: 'Overall costs for independent retailers are going up and the planned increases in National Insurance, minimum wage and business rates will leave many with no choice but to shut up shop.' Ms Reeves declared in October that employers would pay a 15 per cent National Insurance rate on staff salaries exceeding £5,000 from April rather than the current 13.8 per cent levy on wages above £9,100. She also said the National Living Wage would go up by 77p to £12.21 per hour, alongside increases in the capital gains tax rates on selling business assets. Retailers have been among those leading the charge against the Chancellor's punishing tax measures. In November, more than 80 bosses signed an open letter to Reeves warning that her Budget plans would force them to hike prices, cut jobs and close stores. Signatories included the heads of high street giants Marks & Spencer, Next and John Lewis as well as the major supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda. Meanwhile, firms have called for ministers to reform the business rates system to make physical shops more competitive with their online counterparts.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
We paid HMRC thousands to boost our state pensions - months later, we've got no idea where the cash has gone
Pensioners who spent thousands of pounds to boost their state pensions have received nothing for their money since it vanished into government coffers months ago. Hundreds of thousands of older people rushed to take advantage of a special deal – before it ran out in April – that would increase their retirement income. The offer allowed people to fill gaps in state pension records going back to 2006, rather than just the past six years.
