Harvey Nichols — Local services in London

WHAT HAVE HARVEY NICHOLS DONE TO THEIR FOOD HALL - THE HORROR...

I fell in love with Harvey Nichols Food Hall well when I moved into Central London in 1994.

It's been an institution for me for regular groceries but most importantly it became my Christmas Eve Tradition. Inviting friends to share a glass of champagne at the bar having made my food selections ready for collection when I eventually stumbled out of the door some hours later happy and sated.

It had the best Butcher, Greengrocer, Fishmonger, Cheesemonger of any establishment in London and I'd include Borough Market in that, that was when it was a grown up traders food market (before it went to hell in a hand cart and became a marketeers wet dream).

Unlike the cavernous Food Hall of it's neighbour Harrods this was intimate. Harrods was where the tourists went, HN was where the foodies would come.

Every staff member had been there since I started coming. They were committed to the store and far more importantly they were committed to their customers. I had friends use the place as others would shop at Tesco (think Ab Fab).

And yes, there were lots of expensive foods, but for your local grocery shop it would be no more expensive than buying free range organic at your local supermarket.

I have raved and raved about this establishment for over 2 decades.

It's service was second to none.

As I've said I sat at the Champagne Bar entertaining friends on most Christmas Eve's meeting up with customers, who'd be collecting their regular fowl, bird or game every year since moving to London.

It was the archetypal London Christmas and perfect in every way.

I was always offered things to try I'd never heard of, tasted a variety of things before perfect selection, the Wine Shop had the most knowledgeable staff on all alcohol, not just wine.

It really was the most special and unique department store Food Hall in the world.

But over the last few years, it's been in steady decline, first the bakery disappeared, then the grocery section get reduced to nothing until this year, the most horrific of abominations, the entire Fresh Food department has gone.

What's left is mass market Franchise food outlets - it is in essence a Food Court. Yes and no amount of poncing those two words up, is ever going to elevate an eatery from its connection to tacky food, for bored, palate less, hungry shoppers in a Shopping Centre in Slough. All this homogenisation has now turned a world beating foodie paradise into, I suppose, what the store has itself become (with HN stores now across the country) a slightly elevated Debenhams. A store full of concessions that does very little itself, other than rent out space to others.

No place for the discerning anymore.

A devastating and appalling piece of London vandalism that should never be supported.

Time and time again the food hall managers have said there was the trade to support it, but why bother when you can drag stupid people in to buy poor food for much more money (and people actually queue for B&L an incomprehensible situation to me).

So if you want places like this to remain unique, bastions of our fantastic city, don't shop here, make their money grabbing overlords find the stupid in other cities, use the Burger & Lobster, Yo Sushi, Zelman Meats, Bubblology in any of their high street outlets, just don't use these ones.

Complain about the Food Hall's absence to the store manager every time you're in here. Tell your friends too, Tweet, Facebook, WhatsApp etc. the hell out it.

I've said it about Fortnum and Mason's, Burlington Arcade and I'll do so again here, London institutions are ours, not their owners, the owner is just granted the honorary licence to be the establishments care-taker for a while, not it's destroyer.

Let's see the fantastic food-hall and all it's amazing staff next year, you'll be better off for it, I'll be better off for it, but above all, London will be much, much better off for it.

And that would definitely bring back a bit of Christmas Cheer and we should all be...

Visited on the Jubilee bank hol. Great range of beauty products and a good loyalty card scheme.

My friend got foundation matched at Fenty, member of staff (forgot the name sorry!) was friendly and tried a range of products. Also told us that the hydrating pro filt'r is going to be discontinued, which we had no idea about! So that was useful. She also applied a few products on my friend, however, her skin is very sensitive and the staff member did not ask if she wanted the additional stuff applied. So immediately afterwards my friend had to wipe everything off and her skin was quite irritated for the rest of the day. It would have been better if they asked, I know they are trying to sell additional products but they shouldn't do this at the expense of the customers wellbeing. By the time my friend was asked how her skin felt it was already burning and more products applied so she felt too awkward to say something.

My friend and I had then spoke to Sophie from Armani in the makeup section and she was super approachable, friendly and nice. Helped me to find my shade match and gave me a sample so that I can try at home. Also gave me tips on how best to apply which I appreciated! 5* for her :)

Went upstairs to pick up my order which was a smooth process, I like how they gave you the standard harvey nichs bag as opposed to like a plastic one that made it clear you did a click & collect. 5* on this experience.

Then visited the food hall, good range of projects and lots of places to eat. We got to try a super fancy chocolate courtesy of the lovely lady at the kiosk (sorry forgot the staff members name but she had really great coloured hair!) She was super nice. 5* for her.

I have removed a star due to my experience at the bar upstairs. As I had purchased something from Harvey Nichs my loyalty perks are that I get to get a free soft or hot drink. It wasn't clear how to obtain this so we patiently waited in the queue only to be told we can ask the bar directly and there was a separate counter nearby. We waited a good 20mins for them to serve the couple in front of us. They only ordered a cappuccino and a soft drink.. When we got to the front they said I had to buy something at the café and had to have it inside. This is not stated in the terms and conditions. I said this, and said that the front of house said I could come to them. The bar guy did not look happy to give me my drink, so didn't like that I had to justify myself. They should have known that having it in is not a requirement. 2* on...

Harvey Nichols is a world-renowned luxury department store located in the heart of London. With its stylish and modern design, extensive selection of high-end fashion and beauty products, and excellent customer service, it's no surprise that Harvey Nichols has become a destination for both local residents and visitors to the city.

The first thing you'll notice about Harvey Nichols is its impressive facade. The store's grand entrance, adorned with giant glass windows and sleek metal framing, immediately catches the eye and sets the tone for the luxurious shopping experience that awaits inside. Once you step inside, you'll be greeted by a vast array of fashion and beauty products, all displayed in a clean, modern, and elegant setting.

One of the standout features of Harvey Nichols is its wide range of products from both established and emerging designers. Whether you're looking for high-end fashion, luxury cosmetics, or unique home decor, you'll find it here. The store is also known for its excellent customer service, with knowledgeable and friendly staff always on hand to offer advice and assistance.

In addition to its impressive selection of products, Harvey Nichols also offers a variety of in-store experiences that add to the overall shopping experience. For example, the store's Beauty Lounge offers a range of treatments and services, including facials, massages, and makeovers, while the in-store restaurants and bars offer a variety of gourmet food and drink options.

Of course, all this luxury comes with a price tag to match, and Harvey Nichols is known for its premium prices. However, for those looking for a special and memorable shopping experience, the store is definitely worth a visit.

Harvey Nichols is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for luxury shopping in London. With its stunning design, extensive product selection, and exceptional customer service, it's no wonder that it has become a household name in the world of...