Harvey Nichols

In 1813, 36 years before Harrods first opened, Benjamin Harvey opened a linen shop in a terraced house on the corner of Knightsbridge. The small store was a success and Benjamin passed the business over to his daughter in 1820. She went into partnership with Colonel Nichols and the shop began selling Oriental carpets and luxurious materials alongside the linen.

The fine goods meant that the shop was a tremendous success and in the 1880s the store moved to its current location. Harvey Nichols went from strength to strength- drawing in London’s wealthy residents to buy its imported silks and increasing fashion ranges.

In 1919 Harvey Nichols was bought by Debenhams- the financial backing propelling the store to previously unimaginable success. Harvey Nichols range of goods increased with more exotic fabrics and finer silks than ever before.

Over the next decades Harvey Nichols established itself as a premier outlet, with Knightsbridge becoming one of the most exclusive shopping areas in the world. In 1991 the store changed hands again and underwent a major refurbishment of the fifth floor food hall, restaurant, bar and café.

In January 2003 Harvey Nichols was removed the stock exchange and once again became the property of a private owner. The store in Knightsbridge still stocks high quality merchandise and is frequented by the famous and affluent.