Harrods
From LondonHotels.in
Harrods is the most famous department store in London, Europe and maybe the world. It has become a tourist attraction in its own right. In fact, it is so popular, that it is ranked third in the tourist attraction popularity stakes. It has also become quite a tradition amongst customers to buy something, however small, just to acquire the famous, traditional little green, carrier bag with the golden Harrods emblem on it.
Harrods is a very exclusive shop. In days of old, they had their own merchant ships travelling around the world for produce.
The Harrods motto is Omnia Omnibus Ubique, which means 'All Things, For All People, Everywhere'.
Today it's a little less exclusive but still probably, the classiest shops in the world. You will always be greeted at the door by the friendly doormen. Imagine pulling up in your own chauffeur driven limousine and smile politely! You can purchase most things from this store, including books, food, clothes etc. Harrods is within walking distance of Hyde Park corner and Westminster and Victoria. Buckingham Palace, Pall Mall and Trafalgar Square are accessible beyond those points too.
For those who like to venture even further on foot, it is possible to link up to Oxford St, Marble Arch and Park Lane and complete the complete circle, passing Hyde Park Corner and continuing back to Harrods.
The store was established in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod, and succeeded by his son Charles Digby Harrod and House of Frazer. At present, Harrods is owned by the Egyptian tycoon Mohammed Al Fayed, the father of Dodi Al Fayed. Dodi himself a successful businessman, who of course, was the man who died in the car crash with Diana Spencer.
Until 200, Harrods held a number of Royal Warrants
Duke of Edinburgh (Outfitters)
Prince of Wales as (Outfitters & Saddlers)
Queen Mother (China & Glass)
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain (Provisions & Household Goods)
The Duke of Edinburgh's warrant was held from 1956 until the 21st of December 2001 when it was withdrawn by the Duke due to a "significant decline in the trading relationship" between the two parties. Al-Fayed himself, chose to withdraw the remainder of the warrants.
Harrods is the only department store in the UK, selling animal furs, which has not pleased the animal rights activists. Hopefully, Harrods will reconsider this policy change and revert back to it former non fur-trading status.
