House of Fraser

Oh I say is this the bloomingales of the north what can I say I say :-)
I was amazed today at just how many perfumes fill the air as I enter these premises, I was greeted at every three paces with would madam like to have a wiff of this that another perfume that I can’t spell let alone say, my word you need some money if your going to come here as a regular I have never been before ‚
But that don’t mean I won’t come again its a well nice place but you need more time I was only passing some time before going to a meeting ‚
There’s a lot of floors to cover if you have the time I never got beyond the first floor
The make up is fascinating they have these chairs were u can be made up in movie fashion or as a top model photo shoot they even comb your hair I spent some time looking at all the different colours I should write a book lol :-)
It was wonderful I just managed to get a quick look at all the handbags I would really like to own one of these maybe one day !
Will find a decent full day to come again and try their lunch in their restaurant, till next time keep watching, bye

Let me start by saying, I don’t like Department Stores, they often tend to be really big, far too busy and they is so many small stores for different brands, and different tills, and that confuses me, that I can’t pay for everything in one place, and basically it isn’t a store at all, it is just an Ultra High End version of Bury Market in an upscale location, House Of Fraser is no different, but House of Fraser has something about it, which makes it better than Debenhams, Selfridges and co, which I can’t just put my finger on.
This House Of Fraser, or HOF, has been owned by Harrods since 1919, but they was taken over by House of Fraser in 1959, other than a short period in the 1920’s (I’m a history geek I know), it was always known as Kendal’s up until 2005, which some Mancunians still call it now, when honestly even though I wasn’t alive in 1919 to compare them, I use common logic to know, despite being in the same old building and being a Department Store, they must have been different?
On my visit, on a typical Bank Holiday morning, straight after Boxing Day, it was busy, as expected with all the sales going on, which was the purpose of my visit, to pick up an I-​glove I ordered online which was £10.50, reduced down from £15.
The whole lift system is a mess, although it tells you what is on which floor, near certain lifts, it doesn’t all the time, which can mean having to go back and forth, bracing crowds to ask a member of staff, the HOF staff on guard is one of the things I like about HOF as it means you don’t have to walk up to random «brands» and ask them, the staff I spoke to seemed friendly and directed me to Floor 5 for picking up my parcel.
They is 4 lifts, and they seemed to be very narrow, and also very slow, stopping on every stop, even when they was no one there, mainly due to getting in another lift.
The ordering system seemed good, in a queue, where someone would take your details, order information so while you wait, someone would be getting it for you, in quite a quick process.
This did seem like quite a nice Department Store, for a department store, with typical pricey items, including a small bed, not even a single bed for £10,000.
They do have some nice products, some other retailers do not however such as the Iglove at a much cheaper rate than buying it for Iglove themselves, meaning once you have braced the Handbag /​Fragrence Hell, it isn’t a bad place. It is a nice building despite being very old, and despite its’ major flaws such as the lifts, and it being like Hell on the ground floor, with all the brands rolled into one, I still think HOF warrants 3 stars, with location, selection and staff and the building its-​self being the main reasons for the higher rating than I would have normally give.

House of Fraser, better known as Kendals to most Mancunians, is one of Manchester’s oldest department stores. They sell a wide range of high end fashion, fragrances, cosmetics and housewares. There’s a different café on almost every floor and a champagne bar on the 4^th which looks quite new. There’s also a Nespresso concession which appears to be very popular.

I can’t recommend Shannon at the Benefit Brow Bar enough, ive followed her from the Debenhams brow bar as she is just lovely and amazing at eyebrows.
I have them waxed, shaped and tinted, not been anywhere better!

Today, HoF has been knocked down to a two star = sad Saturday.
The Blue Cross Sale, something my boyf remarked «surely belongs to Debenhams,» is currently in full swing and gave me plenty to look at. Labels are well marked down and the store in its entirity is well set out; I often make my way round in a very ordered anti-​clockwise direction, though today I was a touch overexcited after not being shopping for a while and ended up darted all over the place, trailed by the boyf on my phone looking up the football scores. Although we did look a bit typical at least the other couple’s on the floor looked the same! Bargain of the day? A Glamorous blazer, originally £45 and ripped at the back in the inside lining, marked down to £9. YES. The Glamorous et al labels are quickly becoming my favourite, especially in these sales, as they provide the best knocked down prices, especially perfect for last minute party dresses or dinner outfits.
Now my friends we get to the reason behind the two star review — the service. Why was I served by two people? Was the female new and therefore needed the help from the overbearing male or was he simply just annoying and getting in the way? In my opinion it was the latter. If he was helping, he would have helped, not just whisked my jacket away and left the female to fend for herself on a till point she apparentley knew very little about. (I have worked behind the till so I know the process and it shouldn’t have taken that long!)
Really, it’s no biggy, but not something I’d expect from HoF when there was no rush. And she didn’t even mention the jacket.

The equivalent of Nordstrom in the USA — lovely displays, top quality merchandise, friendly service, not terribly outrageous prices like Harvey Nichol’s/Harrods. Every floor is a new adventure with a different theme and tons of different designers. There’s a full café and tearoom within the store as well. AND FREE WI-​FI — unheard of in England! They also have their own wedding department and host of adorable consultants who take care of every little detail for the wedding registries. I love the idea of a wedding concierge — and I know HOF does it right! Definitely a realistic shopping option.

Mein Lieblingskaufhaus! Edel, chic, grande, freundlich, atmosphärisch, gut sortiert.etc.
I especially luv their January Sale!!! Eine riesige Auswahl an ausgesuchter Kleidung, home accessories, office shoes, ein nettes café und eine coole champagner lounge. Man findet allles und mehr. Mein absolutes Must, wenn ich in Manchester bin.
My favourite store in Manchester. I love the old building and the atmosphere there. I always find something in their home accessories department, bedding and bath or in the cosmetics section.

Although House of Fraser stocks a wide range of basic and luxury goods, for me it is ‘Cookware Central’. The homeware department on the fourth floor features the best display of cookware I’ve seen in Manchester — definitely check out House of Fraser for basic cookware or more luxury brands. For example, whilst House of Fraser stock a wide range of Le Creuset cookware, they also offer their own ‘Linea’ brand of enamelled cast iron cookware. Judging from appearance, Linea brand goods (cookware, clothing, etc) seem of good quality, and the on-​trend colours of the cast iron items — teal/​white/​black — mean they really look the part. Also, it looks like they do regular sales for their own brand goods — Linea cast iron cookware is 50% off at the moment.
But the most inspiring thing for me is the unique high-​end cookware that nowhere else in town even comes close to stocking. OK, so some of it can be a bit pricey, but the quality and unique design of some items must be such fun to cook with. For example, they have this huge stainless steel wok with glass lid and a lovely big rack for draining your tempura on. The price was over £100, but if you are into deep frying tempura, spring rolls etc it should be well worth it.
If you are only going to look at three shops for quality cookware, I would recommend House of Fraser, Debenhams and Peter Maturi on King Street. If you more of a bargain hunter, I would still look at Frasers but add TK Maxx and Hub Retail in the Arndale Centre. Of course, for really specialist kit, specialist online retailers are your best bet and that is where I have had to turn for the silicone and bare cast iron items I was after.
From Frasers, all I have bought recently is a dish rack which I am as pleased as you can be about a dish rack, as it phenomenally well-​designed in terms of functionality and space-​saving.
Staff are generally helpful and fairly well-​informed, and even basic information such as which steam iron or whatever is their best-​seller can help you swiftly and confidently arrive at a buying decision.
Lastly, I would like to see some Unilocal reviews of the newly refurbished ground floor restaurant, San Carlo Cicchetti
which is offers an Italian tapas menu and is apparently frequented by MCFC boss Roberto Mancini.

The 1938 Modernist building by J. Beaumont impresses on the outside, as well as inside. A mix of brands, from MaxMara to Phase Eight, is spread across the floors. The ground floor dazzles you with what looks like a fragrance and cosmetics paradise. But for someone like me who loves kitchen and all cookware upper floors are the magnet. Even browsing their range of funky little kitchen tools makes me feel hungry. In her own words, Nigella Lawson always buys these kitchen «things», and it seems I’m almost following in her footsteps.
The café upstairs looks somewhat bland, compared to the status of the store and the brands that trade here. I certainly expected something on a grander scale, although it is cosy.
Last but not least come HoF’s shop windows. Somehow those on the sides of the building often seem to be more impressive than the one that faces Deansgate. Needless to say, a lot of effort is put into these frontal windows during Christmas season, but it does not always spills over to festiveless times.

Oh how I wish all department stores were like the film Mannequin. With the window displays playing some love story between a simple shop boy and a mannequin that comes to life at night.
Unfortunately they’re not, but House of Fraser on Deansgate is pretty much the closest Manchester has to this dream. It’s still pretty far away though, just a simple old department store with several floors of clothes, shoes, make up, perfumes and jewellery.
If wondering around King Street does seem like a bit much for you, then you can probably find all the same clothes under one roof at House of Fraser. They stock pretty much everything that is exclusive and expensive.
Their windows are a bit drab though. Nothing like Mannequin. But that is a tall order I guess.

This all encompassing giant kind of sickens me. I’m tryin to think of how I relate it in my head and all I can think of is its giant size and that song that has opera singers in it that sort of goes hay, hee, ha hee. Know the one I mean? Well if not ignore the last few sentences. House of fraser is an all encompassing goliath of a store offering everything from pens to jug blenders to perfume to plasma tvs. To review it properly I would have sat at this laptop for several days and developed scraggily facial hair or at least look like Mel Gibson in castaway.
I often feel nauseated by house of fraser and can spend no longer then 15 minutes in there before I want to throw up from its disgustingly grotesque range of products. Go in, see how long you last.

There’s a touch of 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served? about House of Fraser. It’s not just the fact it’s the oldest and grandest department store in the city, it’s the slow elevators, the confusing floor layouts and the fact you have to buy your clothes from the area you picked them up rather than any till. Trust me, I’ve tried and failed on different occasions!
The thing that really makes me feel I’m wandering around Grace Brothers department store however, is the staff. They’re not quite as camp or witty as Captain Peacock, Mrs Slocombe or Mr Humphries but there’s definitely an element of disdain and snootiness when you approach them. This might infuriate some people but it always tickles me and makes me wonder if it’s part of the staff training!
There’s beauty products on the ground floor, furniture and electronics on the top floors and lots of men, womens and childrenswear inbetween. Some of it I wouldn’t be seen dead in but I usually see at least half a dozen things I like from one of their emerging or established designers. The only problem is, is there anyone to serve me?!

House of Fraser is Kendals. I will never ever call it House of Fraser.
There are several reasons why this place is very good, the toy department for one, is amazing. So many toys!!! Arrrgh! The location, right on Deansgate in the very heart of Manchester but far enough away from the Arndale where most people head to, is another plus point.
The size of the place and the organisation of the departments is again, really good, it’s really well put together.
But as promised, here come the bad points. First and foremost, the prices. This department store is much much more expensive than Debenhams which is just down the road. You wouldn’t mind but they’re selling the exact same product! So that’s a little annoying.
Secondly, the staff are unbelievably rude and unhelpful! They are incredibly snobby and seem openly annoyed when you ask them for help.
Another thing that annoyed me is that I was buying a dress from one department so I had picked that up and wandered off to find something to match, I didn’t find anything in the other sections so I just went to the nearest till to pay only to be told I had to go back to the section I picked up the dress from as they do not mix concessions! I was still in the same shop, on the same floor! I’m sure she made it up just to get out of serving me but it annoyed me enough that I left the shop and headed off to Debenhams across the way, got the dress cheaper and was served by the nearest till by a much more cheerful assistant.
So if you’re just window shopping and you want somewhere quieter to do it, great, head on down to Kendals.

Do you have more money than sense?
Does buying a handbag that worth more than a car fulfil you?
Do you want to come into financial difficulty in the all in the name of a watch?
House of Fraser yet another department shop that sells the items you must have in life.

The powers that be may have dropped the name but it’ll always be Kendals to me and the rest of Manchester.
One of the few remaining old school luxury department stores left in the city centre, Whilst the almost Gotham city-​esque art deco exterior will never age, the interior of Fraser’s House is now beginning to look its age. The stairs creak, the escalators struggle and the lifts are in semi-​retirement and the shadow cast by the young pretenders over on Exchange Square makes for a gloomy ambiance.
But, call me crazy, this only makes me like the store more!
I can now browse without the omnipresent threat of stampede, I can look the overly made up staff in the face without feeling like they are scanning me for signs of poverty, I can laugh in the face of recession as the prices drop lower and lower AND, I just love a good underdog story!

I’ve been shopping at Kendals all my life and I still get a buzz when I walk through the store.

Very old school. A shop with ideas above its station. Don’t be intmidated!

As noted by a previous reviewer, Kendals days as the King of the High Street and purveyor of fine goods are over; it has become an obsolete, out-​of-​the-​way shop that I only ever visit when I’ve exhausted all other possibilities.
The staff here are generally unfriendly and are generally there to have a bit of a chat with the person from the next concession over. This bothers me as I stood next to the Benefit stand for about 10 minutes before a woman hurried overwho didn’t work on the concession anyway. Added to this, the building feels a bit ill-​conceived, especially the very well-​hidden other menswear section, which is in the basement and through a ridiculous dimly-​lit tunnel.
On some levels I can, however, see why the staff are loathe to work here; Big Brother is clearly watching and summons poor employees via an increasingly shrill and irritated sounding tannoy, embarrassing both them and clients.
As a shop, Kendals is okay, but it’s just not got the pizazz or luxury of Harvey Nichols or Selfridges. Or the proximity to the town centre. Oranything, for that matter.

Another one of the average upper class snooty department stores that sells nothing cheap! Great if you’re loaded, but me, not so much! It is another WAGs dream, all of that designer clobber, expensive handbags, exclusive shoes and 100% egyptian cotton sheets! Of course you can also get all of the expensive make up and beauty products that would not be seen dead on the shelves of our friends boots and superdrug! I hate pretentiousness!!!

I remember when Kendals was the posh place in town when I was a teen. You would walk through and suffer evil glares untill you made it to the other end of store, wishing you had your mother with you.
Since Selfridges and Harvey Nichols has arrived in Manchester there has been virtually zero need to go to Kendals. Where Harvey Nichols had the über expensive designers and exclusives, and Selfridges has the cool, laid back environment with young, trendy staff, Kendals is somewhere inbetween the two but is outdated décor and yellowy tinted lights and generally more unapprochable staff.
Well, ok, not everyone who works there is unapprochable, but I definately get less help and never get offered make overs at Kendals. Just walking through the store fills me with dread so I don’t go there at all anymore — fact is anything you can get from Kendals you can get from anywhere else (apart from Prescriptives Make Up).
Not to mention I’ll catch a chill walking all the way to Kendals!