This along with Harrods and Borough Market will be one of my shopping delights when I get to London. Located on the famous shopping street know as Piccadilly, it is probably the dominated name when it comes to shopping. It is famous for its longevity since 1707 and for being the Queen's Grocer. Fortnum & Mason is recognised internationally for its high quality goods and as an iconic British symbol. It has held many Royal Warrants over the past 150 years. Founded as a grocery store, Fortnum's reputation was built on supplying quality food, and saw rapid growth throughout the Victorian era. Though Fortnum's developed into a department store, it continues to focus on stocking a variety of exotic, speciality and also 'basic' provisions. The store has since opened several other departments, such as the Gentlemen's department on the top floor. It is also the location of a celebrated tea shop and several restaurants. William Fortnum was a footman in the royal household of Queen Anne. The Royal Family’s insistence on having new candles every night meant a lot of half-used wax which William Fortnum promptly resold for a tidy profit. The enterprising William Fortnum also had a sideline business as a grocer. He convinced his landlord, Hugh Mason, to be his associate, and they founded the first Fortnum & Mason store in Mason's small shop in St James's Market in 1707. In 1761, William Fortnum's grandson Charles went into the service of Queen Charlotte and the Royal Court affiliation led to an increase in business. Fortnum & Mason claims to have invented the Scotch egg in 1738. The store began to stock speciality items, namely ready-to-eat luxury meals such as fresh poultry or game served in aspic jelly. During the Napoleonic Wars, the emporium supplied dried fruit, spices and other preserves to the British officers and during the Victorian era it was frequently called upon to provide food for prestigious Court functions. Queen Victoria even sent shipments of Fortnum and Mason's concentrated beef tea to Florence Nightingale's hospitals during the Crimean War. On March 1,2012 was an historic day at Fortnum & Mason. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the store to open the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. It was also an opportunity for Her Majesty to inspect the 60 unique Diamond Jubilee products created in celebration of her reign. One of these was a service tin – filled with tea and biscuits – that we sent to 17,000 British servicemen and women across the globe. At the foot of the sparkling spiral staircase lies the fabulous Food Hall, filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, superior meat, fish and crustacea, delicatessen delicacies, a variety of baked treats, superb cheeses and pantry provisions of all kinds, not to mention the Fortnum’s Takeaway Counter. Here, too, you will find the Customer Collection point as well as our famous Wines & Spirits department and the gourmet delights of the 1707 Wine Bar. On the Ground Floor you will find tea and coffee, confectionery and a considerable range of honey and preserves, as well as Fortnum's famous hampers, including the capacity to create one's own bespoke hamper. Here, too, are the Gallery and Fountain Restaurants, offering delicious food and drink just a few steps from the shop floor The First Floor is home to the well-stocked Cookshop and also features books, china and glass. Here too you will find the Demonstration Kitchen and their famous Hampers. For refreshment, visit The Parlour, which offers ice creams, light meals, tea, coffee and other drinks. The Second Floor is filled with ladies’ fashion accessories such as hats, jewelry, lingerie and handbags, as well as perfume, cosmetics, toiletries, luxurious soft furnishings and bed and bath linen. The Children’s section offers traditional toys and beautiful clothes. Visit also The Beauty Rooms, their elegant in-store spa. On the Third Floor you will find an abundance of gentleman’s accessories, gifts and toiletries, leather goods, luggage, games, stationery and a personal gift-wrapping service. The fourth floor was made home to the much-loved St James’s Restaurant in good time for their 250th anniversary in 1957, and specialized in superb dining and fine afternoon tea. So for generations afternoon tea has been an essential part of any visit to 181 Piccadilly. On 1 March 2012, with enormous joy and excitement, the refurbished St James’s restaurant was opened by HM the Queen accompanied by Their Royal Highness's the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, and renamed The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Information
181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER. Telephone +44 (0)207 734 8040 Monday to Saturday 10am - 9pm Sunday 12noon - 6pm For info on restaurant menus, takeaway menus, ordering or to shop online, check out the official Fortnum and Masons website below. Cheers!
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