London's Lost Department Stores : A Vanished World of Dazzle and Dreams

Author(s): Boase, Tessa,
Binding: Paperback,
Date of Publication: 26/09/2022,
Pagination: 192 pages, full colour photographs throughout; full colour photographs throughout,
Series: N/A,
Imprint: Safe Haven Books,
Published By: Safe Haven Books,
Book Classification: United Kingdom, Great Britain
Dimensions: 171 x 169 x 16mm
Weight: 368g
ISBN13\EAN\SKU: 9781838405137

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Once, every high street had a department store, and they marched the length of Oxford Street. Going up to town to shop at one of these grand emporia and lunch in the top-floor restaurant, or take the children to see Father Christmas, was both a huge treat and completely normal. But the demise of Debenhams, including historic Arding & Hobbs, and Army & Navy at Victoria along with many other House of Fraser stores, confirms that the traditional department store is now an endangered species. In the last five years alone, 83% have gone.

Now, for the first time, Tessa Boase chronicles this fabulous world, from Derry & Toms with its roof garden to the Moderne lines of Holdrons in Peckham Rye (now Mr Khan's Discount), as well as Gamages' peerless toy department, Woollands' 21 Shop for cutting-edge Sixties fashion and Chiesmans' menagerie of snakes and lionesses. There is even a guided walking tour of the West End's lost stores.