Fortnum and Mason is a department store and Royal Warrant holder as well. Also known as Fortnum’s, the store is situated in central London and has two other branches located in Japan. Headquartered at 181 Piccadilly, it was established at the same place in 1707 by Hugh Mason and William Fortnum but is now privately possessed by Wittington Investments Ltd. The store has been recognized not only in the region but in the entire globe for offering finest quality of goods. It has held a number of Royal Warrants for the past 150 years.
Established as grocery store, the reputation of Fortnum was built on supplying the best quality of food. A rapid growth was observed in Victorian era and developed as a department store. Today, it is also an eminent tea shop.
History
William Fortnum’s grandson, Charles started serving Queen Charlotte in 1761 and the affiliation of the Royal Court led to an increase in the business. The store started stocking specialties like ready to eat meals. The emporium supplied spices, dry fruits etc to the officers of Britain during the Napoleonic Wars and the Victorian era.
The store was acquired by W. Garfield Weston, a Canadian billionaire who also became it7s Chairman. He specially made a four ton clock in order to be installed above the prime entrance of the store with the motive of lending a tribute to its founders. After the death of Weston in 1978, the store is being run by his grand daughters Kate Weston and Jana Khayat.
The store was revamped in 2007 to celebrate its 300 years of existence.
Fortnum’s at Present
The store is famous as purveyor of fine foods, wine, hampers and tea. An award winning bar and the funkiest ice cream parlor are the assets to its collection of five restaurants. To add to the awe of quality, is the breath taking atrium of the store.
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