Fenwick (department store)

[3] Fred had trained in retail in Paris and is said to have been inspired by Le Bon Marché,[4] which is regarded as one of the first ever department stores.

Outlets in Windsor and York followed in 1980 and 1984 respectively, with a limited range of departments, specialising in clothing, fashion accessories and cosmetics.

[12] Bentalls in Bracknell closed in 2017 with the opening of a new Fenwick store in The Lexicon Shopping Centre, located in the same town.

[14] In a statement, the company said: "Amid the turbulent economic environment, fresh capital investment is required in order to return the business to profitable growth.

The company operates eight outlets across England (January 2024): Newcastle upon Tyne, Bracknell, Brent Cross Shopping Centre in London, Canterbury, Colchester, Kingston upon Thames, Royal Tunbridge Wells and York[15] as well as online.

In 2022, the Bond Street store was put up for sale at £500 million, listed as a 'redevelopment opportunity' after the COVID-19 pandemic failed plans for the Fenwick family to sell the chain entirely.

The original and flagship[18] store in the group occupies a large site in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Fenwick offers a wide range of goods and services with a focus on premium and luxury products.

[19] The store is known locally for its extravagant Christmas window displays, filled with detailed sets and sophisticated moving figures, which have appeared since 1971.

[20][21] In 2022, Fenwick announced an investment of £40 million over the next five years in the refurbishment of its Newcastle, flagship, adding two new atria and renovating the beauty hall and accessories area.

Flagship Fenwick store in Newcastle
Photograph of the outside of a Fenwick store located on Bond Street, London.
Fenwick Kingston
Fenwick Newcastle Northumberland Street entrance.