Bates hat shop turfed out of Jermyn St

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http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...ermyn St/article.do?expand=true#StartComments

Staff have been careful to preserve the shop's outdated charm, best characterised by Binks, a stuffed stray cat.It first wandered into the shop in 1921, died just a few years later and is now displayed in a glass cabinet, with cigar and top hat at a jaunty angle. The shop also served as the inspiration for Diagon Alley's wizard wand shop in the Harry Potter films.

 

[ninjabathy]

A real shame.

Thank you for highlighting the article. I live fairly locally but I've only just started wearing "proper" hats and went in (after searching all over London for it) with my Fiancee on Valentine's day to try on a few Fedoras and Trilbys. I didn't know either the seriousness of the problem or the history of the shop at that time, I just felt a little sadness for it and its slightly (very understandably) stressed owner, who was closing at the early time of 4.00pm. I foolishly didn't buy a hat from the gentleman as it was about £15 dearer than the same hat I had seen online (a Stetson Penn). I realise now that I am part of the problem with stores like this being unable to compete and feel terribly guilty. I am ashamed to say I didn't even spot the petition... I haven't bought the hat online after fully understanding the scale of the problem, and will be sure to visit again after my next pay-day to make a purchase (hoping it's still open!).

Ah well, such is life. Thanks again for posting.

James

 

[skyvue]

My wife and I stopped in this establishment in December while sojourning in London, and while we signed the petition, we didn't leave feeling hopeful about the store's prospects. The staff was the least friendly and helpful we encountered anywhere in London.

Perhaps they knew their impending fate and were burdened with a feeling of doom and gloom, but they barely acknowledged our presence and made no offers of assistance or service.

By contrast, the staff at the nearby James Lock & Co couldn't have been more welcoming or helpful.

I'd have no trouble at all deciding which establishment to patronize if I lived in London -- Lock & Co., by a wide margin.

 

[Dreispitz]

That is a shame! Guess, they were one of the few left not selling cheap china stuff.

Sic transit gloria mundi!

 

[cookie]

Bates Hat Shop

What I like is that Prince Charles has an opinion about every other building in London and architecture in general ...but does not want to intervene in saving the living patrimony of Britain.

 

[PADDY]

It's sad...

...that this institution is biting the dust. But as has been echoed here before, when I was last in (last year), their customer service was abyssmal. I got more conversation out of the stuffed cat [huh]

 

[Matt Deckard]

It's about time. Besides... nobody wears hats anymore anyway.

 

[Creeping Past]

It's always sad to see an old institution go to the wall. But...

The staff offered me little in the way of help and encouragement when I was there looking for a hat last year. Moreover, they didn't listen. I went through the entire process of choosing and trying on only to find, on paying, that the hat I'd chosen was not actually in the sale — despite having asked twice and been told it was.

One of those "you either get it or you don't" places, it seems.

 

[billyspew]

It will be sad to see it go, however like a few have said previously, customer service is not something than registers on their radar. Not even sure their hat knowledge is even that great, apart from what they stock.

I walked in last year asking for a fedora style hat in grey or black, to which looked at me incredulously and said "Are you sure?". Well after a while I manage to get him to show me what I wanted, I tried a few on and walked out with one. Not a great experience.

Oh well, I guess there's still a chance.