All photos from Charity SuperMkt
The demise of Fenwick’s Bond Street store has been much-lamented over the last few weeks. I always remember popping into store to select a few standout items for photoshoots when I worked around the corner as a fashion editor. In the olden days, Fenwick’s had a lovely PR department (Mary and Sandra), and excellent buyers to create the best fashion edit and rail-upon-rail of beautiful pieces. Sadly, the store’s demise has been slowly unfolding over a number of years; the last time I paid a visit in mid-January, the place felt like a ghost town. Most of the big brands had gone, there was a dismal ‘archive’ sale, wall-to-wall James Lakeland and a handful of disappointed customers. I got my eyebrows threaded at Blink (the staff assured me they are being redeployed to John Lewis and Liberty) and quickly left the building.
The Bond Street site is prime real estate and has been bought by a property developer for £430m, to be turned into a ‘mixed use’ retail space and offices. Founded in Newcastle in 1882 By John James Fenwick, and still owned by family members, the department store chain has eight other locations. The sale of the central London flagship, which opened in 1891, is ‘to fund significant investment’, according to a statement released by the company. More details and online shopping HERE)
Moving swiftly on…the ace initiative, Charity Super.Mkt (I’ve written about this new, sustainable concept HERE) has popped-up at Fenwick, Bond Street until 24 February 2024. Brightening things up, no end.
Is this the future of shopping?
Further details about the Charity SuperMkt pop-up at Fenwick, Bond Street HERE. More sustainable style, HERE, and read author Tessa Boase’ feature ‘Lamenting the Loss of London’s Department Stores’ HERE.