Lillywhites — Local services in London

Lillywhites – A Battle of the Fittest in the Heart of London

My fellow shoppers, today we find ourselves on the frontlines of one of the most challenging and claustrophobic experiences this great city has to offer: Lillywhites—a store, my friends, that calls forth the true spirit of endurance, grit, and determination. Like the soldiers of old, we march bravely into the chaotic battlefield that is this discount sports emporium.

Behold! The aisles are crowded, the shelves overflowing with goods that seem to multiply in the chaos, yet the quality of these items leaves much to be desired. One must search deep, through layers of cheap fabrics, poorly stitched seams, and forgotten brands, to find the faintest glimmer of what one might call “quality.” And yet, the low prices beckon—the spoils of war for those brave enough to endure the journey.

But let us not be deceived, my comrades, by the allure of the bargains—this is no simple victory. The store is a battleground of too many bodies, a suffocating atmosphere where air is thin, and the walls seem to close in on you. You can scarcely move without bumping into another desperate soul, each seeking that elusive deal amidst the crowded aisles. The sound of hurried footsteps, shuffling through cheap plastic bags and frantic searches, fills the air—each of us driven by the same desire to survive this ordeal.

And then, there are the weary warriors at the frontlines—the staff. Oh, my friends, I must say this: their spirits seem as dull as their uniforms, their faces a reflection of the endless, exhausting battle they face day in and day out. There is no joy in their eyes, no glimmer of victory—only the solemnity of an army long past its prime.

Yet, I say to you—despite these trials, despite the challenges, there are victories to be had. The low prices, the sheer abundance of goods, and the bravery of those who dare to shop here—these are our rewards. We endure, we conquer, and in the end, we may emerge victorious with a bargain to boast about.

So, I ask you to march on, my comrades, with courage and strength. Lillywhites may be a warzone, but for those who persevere, there are spoils—cheap, fleeting, and at times, fleetingly useful—waiting on the other side.

Onward to victory, my friends! The checkout line is but another battle, and we shall...

Shockingly rude staff. Do not shop here.

My mother was visiting me from Australia. It was her first time overseas. She had only been here a day when she took me to Lilly Whites to get some new shoes and a football jersey for my brother back home.

We asked a member of staff if I could get a particular pair of shoes in my size. When she came back, I asked if I could also try another pair of shoes, she said her other colleague could help and walked away. She then went to the back of the store to chat with her colleague. The only other member of staff on the floor was too busy as well to help. It was clear they were just not interested in serving customers.

We then went downstairs to pay. My mother paid with her travel card and it went through. After the transaction was paid and our things were put in a bag, the member of staff behind the counter asked for my mother's ID. We asked why, as we handed her my mother's passport. The member of staff said she needed to verify that the name on the card was the same as my mother's ID. We said there is no name on the card, as it is a pre-paid travel card. The member of staff then challenged us by arguing that our card should have a name on it. We tried explaining to her, that it was essentially the same as paying with a gift card or cash - the money has already been paid into the card, it is not the same as a debit or credit card which is linked to a bank. She did not accept my mother's ID or travel card and refunded the purchase back to the travel card. We could not take our things until I paid with my debit.

The staff member behind the counter made twelve people behind us wait in line whilst she continued to berate us about our travel card. No other staff came to open the other till.

My questions is, why would challenge someone on their ID AFTER you have put a purchase through? If someone paid with cash, would they have to bring the cash receipt?

I was so angry that my mother was treated this way on her first day in London.

I made a complaint via email to Lilly Whites last year. After being sent two emails saying they were waiting to hear back from the team, they did not follow-up with the complaint. I then emailed again and was given a different staff member, who again has not replied...

So much to see, so much to look and buy. Spare your money here, stroll and check out all items for purchase. It was less item since we came after season and new batch yet to arrive but well, still happy to look at all stuff here.

In the 19th century, several members of the Lillywhite family were leading cricketers; another, Fred Lillywhite, organised the first overseas tour by an England team to North America in 1859. In 1866, the Lillywhite "No. 5" football was chosen for a London v. Sheffield challenge match organised by The Football Association; the same model in the early years of the FA Cup and was the ancestor of the International Football Association Board's modern ball specifications.[2] In 1886, the Ivy League chose the Lillywhite "No. J" as the standard for American college footballs.[3]

The shop has been based at its current location of 25 Regent St. on Piccadilly Circus since 1925, catering to the London market with specialist departments for croquet and real tennis. In 1930, Messrs Lillywhite Ltd. supplied pilot Amy Johnson with her flying kit.[4] Lillywhites' policy was to compete on quality products (which were charged at premium prices). For many years the company was owned by Forte Group. Until 2002, Lillywhites also had locations in other major cities in the United Kingdom including Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne and Nottingham, with the Leeds store being a large five-storey building that opened in 1996 on The Headrow in the former Schofields department store. In the same year, Lillywhites was bought by the Portuguese company Jerónimo Martins. Lillywhites lost its royal...