FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Harrods as a northerner
Harrods as a northerner
Jump to: Newest in thread
Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store . "
Why would it be just another store?
I've never been to Harrods. I haven't been to London since 2007. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Why would it be just another store?
I've never been to Harrods. I haven't been to London since 2007."
Morning my friend it seems to me there are quite a few iconic stores in London and I wondered if London folk took them for granted |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store . "
It's a pain in the arse if the Chinese tourists want to stop off there on the way back to Heathrow and buy more stuff and suitcases to put it in
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Why would it be just another store?
I've never been to Harrods. I haven't been to London since 2007.Morning my friend it seems to me there are quite a few iconic stores in London and I wondered if London folk took them for granted "
I'm not from London so I don't know but I doubt it. Harrods is eye wateringly expensive so is Fortnums apparently.
The south isn't just London Mr Busman |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
 |
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
It's a nice place to visit around Christmas. If full of stuff you don't need but they used to go all out with the windows and Santa's grotto. Harrods is a shop for the tourist's. If you want high end crap Selfridges is better for Londoners. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Why would it be just another store?
I've never been to Harrods. I haven't been to London since 2007.Morning my friend it seems to me there are quite a few iconic stores in London and I wondered if London folk took them for granted
I'm not from London so I don't know but I doubt it. Harrods is eye wateringly expensive so is Fortnums apparently.
The south isn't just London Mr Busman "
No you are right I stereotyped London as the only place down South Hastings is lovely this time of year xxxx |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
It's a department store, a bit like House of Fraser with higher price tags 
I remember seeing a clutch bag made of bubble wrap once. It was £110. My first thought was, surely it's not just bubble wrap, I could make that. I picked it up and almost popped a bubble (as you do). I had to put it down quickly
C |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Why would it be just another store?
I've never been to Harrods. I haven't been to London since 2007.Morning my friend it seems to me there are quite a few iconic stores in London and I wondered if London folk took them for granted
I'm not from London so I don't know but I doubt it. Harrods is eye wateringly expensive so is Fortnums apparently.
The south isn't just London Mr Busman No you are right I stereotyped London as the only place down South Hastings is lovely this time of year xxxx "
Hastings is lovely at any time of year if you know the right places to go. . The south is a huge area with some great towns, cities, landmarks and countryside. We get a lot of northerners here on holiday. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Used to go to the pet store every year as my ex used to get her bulldog something to wear for Christmas. I used to sit downstairs in the food hall and drink fizz or eat some nice food. It’s ok for the odd bit down there.
Used to pick up clothing as well when stuff was harder to buy online. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
My mum used to love Harrods though. She never had loads of dosh but used to really enjoy looking round and buying a few small things. Last Christmas she found the Fortnums web site. We all got tins of biscuits from there |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store . "
Busman I'm intrigued, why do you think people from the south think Harrods is just another store? Do people from the north think we're all extremely wealthy down here? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Busman I'm intrigued, why do you think people from the south think Harrods is just another store? Do people from the north think we're all extremely wealthy down here?"
You beat me to this sentence! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Busman I'm intrigued, why do you think people from the south think Harrods is just another store? Do people from the north think we're all extremely wealthy down here?"
No not at all is it just like say Blackpool Tower for us is just a place to visit as say if you come up North from down south it may be iconic ? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Busman I'm intrigued, why do you think people from the south think Harrods is just another store? Do people from the north think we're all extremely wealthy down here?No not at all is it just like say Blackpool Tower for us is just a place to visit as say if you come up North from down south it may be iconic ?"
I see. Does it cost a lot of money to get in to Blackpool Tower?
Harrods is undeniably a tourist attraction and I suppose you could say it's iconic. I'd say the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace is more so though. I went to college in Brighton and daily went past The Pavilion but never once went inside, that was just another building to me in the end |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Fair to say us Northerners aren't as easily 'taken in' by a posh shop maybe?....
They have Harrods, we've got Arkwright's, which ones on telly more?
 , you think we're "taken in" by Harrods?"
I'm reading straight away you are not |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
It is a proper store. The thing that makes it appealing is that if you can’t find it there, you can pretty much order what you want with them and they’ll seek it out for you.
Of course, everything comes with a price. I’m explaining that it isn’t simply a tourist attraction. It has basically everything under one roof. It can all be sent to their collection point where you or your staff can collect at the end of your shop or they can arrange for it to be sent to your hotel/home. You needn’t lug shopping bags with you as you shop in there throughout the day.
Just select, pay and carry on shopping. They’ll do the rest. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"It is a proper store. The thing that makes it appealing is that if you can’t find it there, you can pretty much order what you want with them and they’ll seek it out for you.
Of course, everything comes with a price. I’m explaining that it isn’t simply a tourist attraction. It has basically everything under one roof. It can all be sent to their collection point where you or your staff can collect at the end of your shop or they can arrange for it to be sent to your hotel/home. You needn’t lug shopping bags with you as you shop in there throughout the day.
Just select, pay and carry on shopping. They’ll do the rest."
 |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store . "
Harrods is harrods! Tho I am a selfridges kinda girl x |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Morning all . Being a northerner I have only been to Harrods once on a visit to London. Is it an iconic place to visit or is it just another big supermarket . As a southerner is it just another store .
Harrods is harrods! Tho I am a selfridges kinda girl x "
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Fair to say us Northerners aren't as easily 'taken in' by a posh shop maybe?....
They have Harrods, we've got Arkwright's, which ones on telly more?
, you think we're "taken in" by Harrods?I'm reading straight away you are not "
I'm not "taken in" by much Busman. Although sometimes it suits me to act as if I am. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Fair to say us Northerners aren't as easily 'taken in' by a posh shop maybe?....
They have Harrods, we've got Arkwright's, which ones on telly more?
, you think we're "taken in" by Harrods?I'm reading straight away you are not
I'm not "taken in" by much Busman. Although sometimes it suits me to act as if I am."
it's good to be yourself and I still respect you xxx |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
So here's our understanding of Harrods being a Londoner for a very long time.
For international tourists it's an opportunity for tax free high end shopping malarky (much like Bicester village). Especially for South East Asia. As luxury products is seen as a status symbol for them. Which is an important part of their culture.
For locals it's a very expensive shop that usually gets passed on for the regular weekend outing unless you got money to burn. Because let's face it. How many department stores sells million pound yachts. 
Majority of Londoners much prefer Selfridge's as it has more of mixed bag of high end without it being to the point of extortionate plus the more affordable day to day shopping in comparison to Harrods. But then Harrods demographic is slightly different to Selfridge's, Westfield and Harvey Nichols
Personally never seen it as a tourist attraction as per say. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Fair to say us Northerners aren't as easily 'taken in' by a posh shop maybe?....
They have Harrods, we've got Arkwright's, which ones on telly more?
, you think we're "taken in" by Harrods?I'm reading straight away you are not
I'm not "taken in" by much Busman. Although sometimes it suits me to act as if I am.it's good to be yourself and I still respect you xxx "
I'm not quite sure how to answer that |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"So here's our understanding of Harrods being a Londoner for a very long time.
For international tourists it's an opportunity for tax free high end shopping malarky (much like Bicester village). Especially for South East Asia. As luxury products is seen as a status symbol for them. Which is an important part of their culture.
For locals it's a very expensive shop that usually gets passed on for the regular weekend outing unless you got money to burn. Because let's face it. How many department stores sells million pound yachts.
Majority of Londoners much prefer Selfridge's as it has more of mixed bag of high end without it being to the point of extortionate plus the more affordable day to day shopping in comparison to Harrods. But then Harrods demographic is slightly different to Selfridge's, Westfield and Harvey Nichols
Personally never seen it as a tourist attraction as per say. "
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"It’s just a glorified pound shop"
pound shop for the billionaires
I’ve witnessed some Russian guy buying a Louis Vuitton hanging chair at the very small price tag
Of £67K…. Yes, I’ll get 5! X  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"It's a department store, a bit like House of Fraser with higher price tags
I remember seeing a clutch bag made of bubble wrap once. It was £110. My first thought was, surely it's not just bubble wrap, I could make that. I picked it up and almost popped a bubble (as you do). I had to put it down quickly
C"
Are you sure there wasn't a really expensive invisible bag inside. And the bubble wrap was there to protect it.. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
It’s okay but since I had to pay £8 for a roll with some meat inside of it which was not bad I have to say. I don’t think I will be doing that again.
I will definitely advise to swiftly move on to Hyde Park afterwards much more nicer and of course you have to get on the pedalos |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"It’s okay but since I had to pay £8 for a roll with some meat inside of it which was not bad I have to say. I don’t think I will be doing that again.
I will definitely advise to swiftly move on to Hyde Park afterwards much more nicer and of course you have to get on the pedalos "
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *alcon43Woman
over a year ago
Paisley |
There’s the Egyptian stairwell which is amazing and the Majolica ceiling in the food court is gaudy but interesting.
I’m sure there are other areas that are interesting in Harrods. Liberty’s is also a lovely building to see inside and out.
There are some great buildings to see. Some of the theatres are beautiful as well. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"There’s the Egyptian stairwell which is amazing and the Majolica ceiling in the food court is gaudy but interesting.
I’m sure there are other areas that are interesting in Harrods. Liberty’s is also a lovely building to see inside and out.
There are some great buildings to see. Some of the theatres are beautiful as well. "
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *alcon43Woman
over a year ago
Paisley |
"Never been to Harrods. Been to London a few times.
Dont feel the need to go in Harrods as London is expensive as it is.
"
You don’t need to buy anything but there some great things to see inside it. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Its just a shop.
They mix perfumes instore which is useful when the brands discontinued ect.
Have a fantastic 'barbour' clothing collection.
I enjoy the tea room.
Nice at christmas
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
As a Northerner who lived down South and worked in London for 20+ years, I can say that the only times I visited Harrods was with my offspring who loved looking at unaffordable handbags and shoes. We went there many times and didn't buy any goods apart from bits n bobs from in the overpriced food hall. Harrods is a magnet for the Chinese and Middle Eastern people who always seem to have money to burn in there. Plenty of people in there who, like myself, went just for a mooch round the place to see what's what.
After going round Harrods, we usually ended up in Selfridge's for another mooch round.
I'm glad I'm back up North now and rarely venture back dahn Sarf. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
As someone who has shopped in Harrods from when it was still owned by the House of Fraser group, Al Fayed and the current owners it has it's place on the tourist circuit if that is your thing.
A bit like going to Macy's on 34th or Bloomingdale's on Lexington if you go to New York.
It had changed vastly in the last 4 decades, as has Selfridges on Oxford Street, to cater for the Chinese and Russian markets. Both already knew how to cater for the Middle East buck, especially during July and August when London is descended on by half of the Arab elite.
I am sat in the kitchen typing this, my Kitchen Aid kettle and toaster came from Harrods as does my oven. The oven incidentally was £700 in 2010 when it was purchased, John Lewis (never knowingly undersold) wanted £1200 for the same model. My china all comes from Harrods too. Does that make me something special? Of course not.
It is a department store at the end of the day. It has a Food Hall to mooch about in and somewhere you can spend your millions too.
I would say though since it was last sold it has lost some of its soul.
I am still in touch with people who I knew, as their client from years ago in Harrods, I don't have that connection any longer. Old staff had to reapply for jobs, the favoured ones needed to speak Arabic, Russian or Chinese. This is the way of the world now.
So if you are going to London and you want to see what the fuss is, go for it. Try out Liberty on Regent Street for the architecture, Fortnums to buy some biscuits from the Food Hall
In actual fact none of the department stores are really what they used to be. Then all shops and retail have had a shift.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
