Post by "Just Ask Eric Musgrave"

It seems like Dickson Poon has decided to dispose of Harvey Nichols after 35 years of ownership. Now who might be interested in a small department store group in the current climate? I have no idea unless it's a giveaway price that might tempt Mike Ashley. Just for a bit of historical perspective, here's a report from The Drapers' Record of 11 August 1894 of the "new" Knightsbridge store being opened. Please note it was then Harvey, Nichols, representing the partnership of Anne Harvey, widow of the founder Benjamin Harvey, and James Nichols, a senior manager in the business who was married to Benjamin's niece. Benjamin Harvey had opened a linen shop in a terraced house on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street in 1831. The store we see here was built between 1889 and 1894. The £40,000 cost then equates to about £4.6m now.