✨ 9 Secrets of Harrods ✨
It's possibly the most famous store in the world, with its grand building, and iconic green and gold bags; but how much do you really know about Harrods?
1. It had England’s very first escalator built in 1898
2. A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh was inspired by his son, Christopher Robin, playing with a bear bought from Harrods in 1921.
3. The 3 square-mile area which surrounds the store is known as the Tiara Triangle. It's rumoured that 60% of Harrods customers live within this well-to-do district.
4. There’s actually a dress code: “Refrain from wearing clothing which may reveal intimate parts of the body, or which portrays offensive pictures or writing. Refrain from wearing crash helmets in the store. Carry small rucksacks in your hand or on your front rather than on your back or shoulder.”
5. In 1986, Harrods' owner, Mohammed Al Fayed, launched a legal campaign against Henry Harrod, a restaurant owner in the New Zealand town of Otorohanga, who wanted to name his restaurant Harrods.
In response, every business in the town changed its name to Harrods, and the District Council temporarily changed the town's name to Harrordsville. Al Fayed later dropped the lawsuit.
6. Looks good, doesn't it? Between 11,000-12,000 light bulbs are used to create this effect with a rumoured 300 needing to be replaced every day.
7. Harry Selfridge, founder of Selfridges store, gifted Harrod’s a silver replica of the store after losing a bet over which store wold make most profit in 1927.
8. In 2007, this pair of ruby and diamond encrusted sandals went on display, with a price tag of £62,000 — and a live cobra guarding them. 😱🐍
9. Harrods used to have an exotic pet store until it was closed in 2014. They sold such animals as lions, alligators, and even an elephant to US president Ronald Regan.
Source: The Londonist 🇬🇧
