Could life be slowly getting back to normal in London? News that Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason have started to reopen would suggest so, with Harrods shortly to follow suit…

Lockdown put luxury firmly on hold. And while we’ve all adjusted – admirably so – and swapped a jet-set lifestyle for admiring the laburnum in our local parks – we’re certainly missing some of the finer things in life.

Good news then, that both Selfridges and Fortnum’s have started to reopen, with ‘the one with the famous yellow bag’ reopening its Food Hall from early May, and ‘the Queen’s grocer’ commencing a phased reopening from 21 May. And with Harrods gearing up to follow suit from 15 June, it’s practically Christmas!

All three legendary stores will, of course, be observing strict social distancing measures, with Harrods even planning to open a kind of pop-up outlet store in Debenhams old spot at Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush, to help shift seasonal stock that they haven’t been able to sell during lockdown, and so that it might offer wider isles for people to be able to keep two metres apart more easily.

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Our beautiful EL&N Cafe may be closed but their delicious cakes are now available from the Bakery Counter in #Selfridgeslondon ! This one is Vegan Coconut and Pumpkin . . #Selfridgesfood #Selfridgesfoodhall #elancafe #Vegan #Vegancake #Coconut #Pumpkin

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Selfridges Food Hall got in there early, reopening on 2 May since food retailers are an essential service. The department store was one of the first UK retailers to temporarily close its stores due to coronavirus crisis, doing so about a week before the lockdown was announced.

Safeguarding measures include temperature testing staff at the start of their shifts, a one-in-one-out policy, a one-way-system, free hand sanitiser and Perspex screens at the cash desks.

The greengrocer, baker, butcher and fishmonger are all open from 10am-6pm (11am-5pm on Sundays), with a range of household and pharmacy items also available. Plus, Selfridges has launched an ‘essential’ food box and make-your-own kits. Find out more here.

As for Fortnum’s, the Ground and Lower Ground Food Halls and First Floor of the Piccadilly store are now open from 11am-7pm (12noon-6pm on Sundays), with the remaining floors and restaurants remaining closed.

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Hello, June! For our local community, Fortnum’s Ground and Lower Ground Floor Food Halls are open from 11am-7pm in Piccadilly, and we look forward to welcoming some friendly faces. If you’re not local, we’re fully-stocked and ready to deliver to doorsteps nationwide – click the link in our bio to shop. #Piccadilly #Fresh #Fortnums #FoodHalls #FoodDeliveryLondon I FortnumAndMason.com

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The St Pancras International store is also open, from 9am-6pm Mon to Sunday, although the bar and restaurant remain closed.

Fortnum’s plans to reopen several of restaurants and bars in July 2020 and is currently accepting bookings – find out more here.

Similar to Selfridges, safeguarding measures include a one-way system, safety screens at the tills and the provision of hand sanitiser. Find out more about Fortnum’s reopening plans here.