Fortnum & Mason is delighted to announce the opening of its first UK store and hospitality offering outside of London, in the luxury shopping destination, Bicester Village in Oxfordshire.
A fixture in London since 1707, Fortnum & Mason is famous around the world for exceptional food and drink, joy-giving gifts, and unforgettable experiences. Proud holders of two Royal Warrants and forever in search of the new and delicious, Fortnum’s is excited to open its doors to the customers of Bicester Village, to give them a taste of Piccadilly.
The Fortnum’s boutique has been designed to be a contemporary interpretation of its iconic flagship, and champions joy and tradition through design. The interior heroes the brand’s colour, Eau de Nil, which decorates the walls of the store, allowing for the products to shine. Taking centre-stage is an enormous chandelier, which hangs in the centre of the store, and emulates the opulence of the brand’s Piccadilly flagship. Boasting two service desks which are made from solid walnut and feature traditional Georgian beading, exceptional service and experience will be paramount – with Fortnum’s Red Coats offering customers the opportunity to enjoy Fortnum’s food and drink at regular sampling sessions.
The retail space showcases some of the brand’s most iconic products, including renowned tea blends like Fortnum’s Royal Blend Tea, and Fortnum’s Sparkling Tea. Fortnum’s extraordinarily magnificent and chocolatey Lossus biscuit range will also be available, as well as a host of other biscuits, preserves and sweet treats. For those looking for the perfect gift, a curated edit of Fortnum’s hampers will be on offer, alongside an exclusive Fortnum’s X Bicester Village gift-box, which includes chocolate pearl shortbread rounds, Fortnum’s Royal Blend tea with a beautiful Fortnum’s mug to drink it from, alongside a delicious local honey, made from Banbury’s beautiful lime trees’ blossom. Furthermore, Fortnum’s Red Coats will be on hand to personalise an array of items, such as Fortnum’s Blancs de Blancs champagne and Fortnum’s Amalthea Gin, for that extra special memento or gift.
Just outside the store, Fortnum’s is excited to be launching the first ever Fortnum & Mason On the Go, a hospitality kiosk offering a curated selection of sweet and savoury toasted sourdough crumpets alongside refreshing and warming drinks to fuel visitors as they journey through the boutiques of Bicester Village. Fortnum’s has worked with Chef Tom Moore, of Moore’ish Crumpets, to create the Fortnum’s crumpets which are handmade with a sixty year old starter, and fermented with artisanal ingredients. On these crumpets, customers can expect to enjoy delicious and sometimes unexpected toppings created by Fortnum’s executive chef, Sam White, such as Coronation Chicken, consisting of Devon white chicken and Coronation spice, accompanied by cream cheese and pickled cucumber, alongside more classic crumpets that pair Fortnum’s strawberry & champagne preserve with Ivy Farm butter.
Inspired by the nearby Bicester Wetland Reserve, the kiosk is home to a playful mascot, who takes the shape of a duck eating a crumpet, and stands in front of a backdrop of colourful stripes of Eau de Nil and orange, all designed to grab the attention and appetites of passers-by.
Of the opening, Fortnum & Mason’s CEO, Tom Athron says: ‘We’re delighted to be opening our first UK store and hospitality offering outside London in Bicester Village. Our beautiful new location will allow visitors to the village to explore a curated edit of Fortnum’s extraordinary food and drink, and provide a great pit-stop for those looking to buy Fortnum’s favourites to enjoy, or to pass on as gifts for friends and loved ones. I am particularly excited to see which crumpet flavours are the most popular at our Fortnum & Mason On the Go kiosk, which will be providing visitors with a welcome pick-me-up as they explore all that Bicester Village has to offer.
It has been a real pleasure to work with The Bicester Village Team on this next chapter of our brand’s story, and we look forward to seeing how we can bring the best of what Fortnum’s has to offer to their diverse customer base.’
Desiree Bollier, chair and global chief merchant – value retail, says: “We are delighted to welcome Fortnum & Mason to Bicester Village. Renowned for transforming everyday moments into occasions and celebrated for its unrivalled sense of joy, Fortnum’s perfectly complements our curated mix of fashion and dining. As an icon of British luxury, its arrival brings a distinctive new dimension to the Village experience, creating moments our guests will treasure long after they leave.”
Catering to visitors of the luxury shopping destination, Fortnum’s Bicester Village store will be open seven days a week from today.
