Harrods goes round the bend with Britain’s first curved escalators

Harrods is planning to install Britain’s first curved escalators - Wirestock/iStock Editorial Harrods is planning to install Britain’s first curved escalators as part of an ambitious new multimillion-pound renovation of the Knightsbridge department store. The luxury retailer, which brought the first escalator to Britain in 1898, plans to introduce the technology in its lower-ground floors in an effort to help retain its allure, amid growing competition from Dubai, Paris and Milan. While there are a few curved escalators installed in Asia and the US, they have never been built in Britain. Mitsubishi is the only provider in the world. When Harrods introduced the Britain’s first escalator, which was made from woven leather, customers getting on it were given a glass of brandy to “overcome the new sensation”.

It is not clear if a similar tonic will be offered to first-time users of the curved conveyors. Harrods said in planning documents that it “intends on bringing this innovation to the UK” in a way that echoes “the sweeping staircases of Harrods’ history” to create a “grand and luxurious retail experience”. It hopes to create an “impressive sense of arrival”, emulating its original Edwardian sales rooms.An artist’s impression of the curved escalators planned for Harrods Under its proposal, fluted marble columns will arch over customers’ heads, inspired by the draped fabric of Lady Britannia on the store’s Brompton Road facade. The current ceiling will be replaced with a 1920s replica after removing asbestos identified during surveys. As well as the curved escalator, each brand based in Harrods’ basement would also get its own eight to 10-person lift for privacy and security, helping extremely high-net worth customers feel comfortable.

The novel technology is part of multimillion-pound overhaul in which Harrods will deepen the lower-ground and sub-basement levels of its 19th century flagship to create a double-height hall, merging its fine watches and fine jewellery departments. Harrods, which is owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, said in planning documents it needed to overhaul its shop to “remain relevant in an increasingly competitive luxury market” and set London “on the map for hard luxury” goods. Bosses warned that London would lose out to Dubai, Paris and New York if the redevelopment did not go ahead. It comes as the UK suffers an exodus of the wealthy after the Government abolished non-dom status. Luxury chiefs have also warned that Britain’s “tourist tax” is also damaging London’s appeal among wealthy shoppers.

Before it was scrapped in 2021, the scheme allowed shoppers to regain 20pc VAT on purchases. More than 300 business chiefs, including Sir Rocco Forte and designers Anya Hindmarch and Sir Paul Smith, called for it to be brought back before last year year’s Budget. Story Continues One of Harrods’ early escalators - Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection / Bridgeman Images Harrods said that without a “significantly enhanced and elevated” retail environment, it knew “for a fact that” it “will lose a number of the most important brands”. The department store admitted that a previous multimillion-pound attempt to refurbish its watch department in 2017 “failed” because it “inadvertently created a feeling of hierarchy” among brands, causing luxury labels such as Omega, Breguet, Blancpain and Longines to walk out. “We cannot repeat this mistake,” it said.

Harrods added that it was struggling to drive footfall to its lower ground level, despite introducing a restaurant and pop-up space as part of the 2017 overhaul. The Knightsbridge Association, a residents’ group, praised the concept as “stunning”, but raised concerns over a potential rise in limousine drop-offs and more traffic in the area. Planning officials at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are expected to make a decision on the redevelopment in the coming weeks. Harrods declined to comment. View Comments