Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason is a department store in London’s St James’s district, first opened in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason. The main building at 181 Piccadilly was rebuilt in the 1920s in a Neo-Georgian style, linking several streets. It remains privately owned by Wittington Investments after a takeover in 1951. The store began as a grocer supplying wax leftovers from royal households before expanding into luxury provisions. It claims to have invented the Scotch egg in 1738 and later became the first British stockist of Heinz baked beans in 1886. The store’s reputation rests on its food hampers and specialty provisions, favoured by royalty and Victorian households. Queen Charlotte’s patronage in the 18th century boosted its standing, and Queen Victoria sent its beef tea to Florence Nightingale’s hospitals. A four-ton clock above the entrance features moving figures of the founders every hour. The fourth floor houses the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. Awards hosted by Claudia Winkleman have honoured figures like Nadiya Hussain and Nigel Slater. Inside, visitors find departments ranging from gentlemen’s clothing to a tea shop and restaurants. The building incorporates parts of Duke Street and Jermyn Street, blending historic and modern spaces. A £24 million refurbishment in 2007 marked its 300th year. The store’s royal warrants, first granted in 1910, remain a point of pride. Outside, the Piccadilly location places it near landmarks like The Ritz and Green Park.