In 1849, to escape the vice of the inner city and to capitalise on trade to the Great Exhibition of 1851 in nearby Hyde Park, Charles Harrod took over a small shop in the district of Brompton, on the site of the current store.
Beginning in a single room employing two assistants, Harrod's son Charles Digby Harrod built the business into a thriving operation.
They rapidly expanded, acquired the adjoining buildings, and by 1880 employed one hundred people.
However, the store's booming fortunes were reversed when in early December of 1883 it burned to the ground. Remarkably, in view of this calamity, Charles Harrod fulfilled all of his commitments to his customers to make Christmas deliveries that year, and made a record profit in the process.
Wiki
 
An email from Colin Allen 15 May 2023 who has pointed out a difficult to read sign top right of ref.132. which displays the Builders details - John Allen & Sons, Kilburn - John Allen was his Great, Great, Grandfather.
 

Many images shown are often available to print etc. via higher resolution downloads. - details here.
Our offline archives are very extensive. Seeking a specific image? eMail us