This was something I've had in mind to do for a while and today seemed like the perfect opportunity as I needed to go into town anyway for the evening but had nothing planned before that. I wanted to walk all of Fenwicks! I decided to take the lift to the top floor and walk round each floor and down the stairs to the next. What would I see? What would I still remember when I came to write up the blog? Here goes...
I entered the shop from Blackett Street, through menswear, toyed briefly with the idea of doing the lower ground floor first, but decided to stick with the original plan and headed for the lifts. The top floor was floor 3, I didn't even know how many floors Fenwicks had.
Third floor: children's everything - books courtesy of WH Smith, toys, clothes in abundance and all labels, children's bedroom furniture dept, a cafe (the first of many) done out like an American diner. I decided the best plan was to step out of the lift/stairs and turn left, walk round the outside of each floor and then back down the stairs.
Second floor: Felt right at home here, furniture - a definite hush in the bedding dept; haberdashery, rugs (and some at knockdown prices); lighting, TVs, doorway to Eldon Square shops, cushions, artwork.
First floor: Cafes! Numerous and well hidden, so well hidden that I actually had to complete the walk and then go back up in the lift to find them. They're down a little side alley and a secret staircase leads down to meanswear and Blackett Street. And ladieswear, lots and lots. A fab mix of colours and styles all at prices a charity shop addict like me wouldn't dream of paying. I'd like to find the styles of £1 though (sigh).
Ground floor: I'd become adept at finding the stairs by now, although they aren't well signed. In fact they are a bit of a nomansland, a little bit forgotten and neglected, a cinderella part of the store left behind while all the other departments prepare to go to the ball. GF was shiny,glitzy perfume and makeup, and a sushi bar, and a sandwich shop and a delicatessen (I bought a fondant fancy).
Lower ground floor: Patio cafe and a cafe nerro - never be thirsty in Fenwicks! and all the household gadgets you could want or need, and Diamond Jubilee souvenirs.
A quick wander like this took me about an hour, with time to drool over the rugs. I don't think I have done the place justice - it's a proper little rabbit warren of entrances and exits, cafes great and small. Sorry there are no pics, but I didn't want anyone calling security.
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