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Sloane Street is the jewel in Knightsbridge’s
crown and is home to many of the top designers including Cartier, Armani,
Christian Lacroix, Thomasz Starzewski and Chanel. In addition, Prada and Dolce
& Gabbana now also attract a younger, trendier crowd. Brompton Road plays
host to some well- known retail names including the jewellers Boodle &
Dunthorne, Austin Reed and Jaeger Visitors of Scottish descent, and those who
would aspire to a little Scottish blood, are able to view and buy their clan
tartan at the Scotch House, where they can learn of its history from the
experts in the ‘Tartan Room’. And where better to round off a
Knightsbridge shopping spree than Beauchamp Place. Packed with chic boutiques
such as Caroline Charles and Kanga, the opportunity to indulge is
overwhelming!
Only the most saintly are able to resist the
temptations on offer in this square mile packed with the best of everything. In
addition to the treasures of Sloane Street, Knightsbridge boasts two of the
world’s greatest department stores: Harvey Nichols, a style emporium
favoured by the ‘ladies who lunch’, and of course our very own
‘corner shop’, Harrods.
Opened in 1849 as a small grocery shop by Charles Henry
Harrod, Harrods has steadily grown to occupy it’s present 4.5 acre site.
Always innovative in their approach to retailing, in 1898, smelling salts and
brandy had to be provided for their terrified customers when Harrods installed
Englands first escalators.
Over one hundred and fifty years on it has grown and
has now become the world’s most famous shop. On an average day 35,000
people will visit the store and during the sales numbers can rise to 300,000,
when trading is described as ‘brisk’. Charlton Heston, Dame Edna
Everage,Tony Curtis, Roger Moore, Cliff Richard, Jason Donovan, Nigel
Mansell,Tom Jones, Burt Reynolds and Richard Gere have all enjoyed being guests
of honour at the traditional opening ceremony.
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