Burlington Arcade

 

Burlington Arcade

 

VO

Built almost 200 years ago, Burlington Arcade was the world’s ever shopping arcade, and with its beadles, liveried guards in Edwardian frock coats, it’s as unique today as it was then.

 

IV

The arcade was built in 1818 and opened to the public in 1819. It was commissioned by Lord George Cavendish by the architect George Weir as a place for upmarket ladies to gain wilful employment.

VO
The beadles aren’t just for show – they have rules to enforce.

IV
It’s changed over the years, but the main ones that we still try to enforce are that people behave in a peaceful way, people don’t whistle, people don’t hurry. We don’t allow bicycles in the arcade, and that when someone comes in, they just take a little time, a little bit of consideration for others. Originally you weren’t even allowed to carry parcels in the arcade because it was deemed ungentlemanly or unladylike. I think it survived so long because of the tranquillity it gives to shoppers, the fact that its always offered a very good range of shops to the public and the fact that it’s just nice to escape from the hurly burly of London and come shop in peace and quiet.

 

IV2

The arcade is very much like a village. I mean, it’s unlike any other high street that you have, or any other shopping street. It is a village, and that has all the aspects of good things and bad things. Obviously gossip goes down the arcade like wildfire, but on the other hand, it is a community, and when there have been instances that happen in the arcade, the shops do pull together, and we do work as one.

 

VO
But what sort of people does the arcade attract?

 

IV
It can be anybody from a prince to a pauper – absolutely anybody you can think of. From somebody who’s just saving up for a special item or for somebody who can buy the arcade out of their back pocket. It can be anybody.

 

IV3

It is very well known for its jewellery shops, and then we have some antique maps, and we have some gifts, wedding gifts, presents, we have a Ben Haddigans with perfume, we have Mont Blanc. We specialize in jewellery, coral and turquoise. It’s all hand made in Italy, it’s all Italian coral and American turquoise.

 

IV2

I have here an 18^th century candle snuffers and tray. They’re always called candle snuffers, but actually in fact they’re wick trimmers, and they open up like a pair of scissors. With early candles, the wick wouldn’t burn down, so you’d need to trim then. And so you’d have a little box, and cut the trim, and trim the candles.

 

IV2
Having an antique shop in what is an antique shop, obviously with the arcade being built in 1819 and being built purposely as a shop, I think is very special.