Fortnum's Lands in Hong Kong

20th November 2019

Fortnum's Docks in Hong Kong

After 313 years, we're still breaking new ground. This ground is about 6,000 miles away from Piccadilly, in Hong Kong's K11 MUSEA: the location of our new store and restaurant, and our first overseas outpost in our history.

From our foundation in 1707, one of the first commodities stocked by Fortnum & Mason was tea. Our clippers loaded with tea from the Far East docked at St Katharine’s, and as the enduring national stereotype will tell us, the English never looked back.

Plot twist – three centuries later, we're headed in the opposite direction. Today, Wednesday 20th November 2019, marks a momentous milestone for Fortnum & Mason, as we open our doors in Hong Kong, our first brand-owned and operated outpost outside the UK in our history. A long way from our home in Piccadilly, perhaps, yet a fitting nod to our very earliest heritage while also looking to the future. Some would say that it is this judicious balance that has kept us 312 years young.

First conceived as ‘A Muse by the Sea’, K11 is Tsim Sha Tsui’s game-changing new cultural and retail hub – and Fortnum’s is set to be one of its crown jewels. Our new shop enjoys dazzling views of Hong Kong Island’s iconic skyline, and surroundings rather different to those in our W1 postcode. For example, nobody has ever seen a wild boar trotting down Jermyn Street – at least not to our knowledge.

Our new shop enjoys dazzling views of Hong Kong Island’s iconic skyline, and surroundings rather different to those in our W1 postcode

A beautifully designed 7,000 square foot space, our K11 store is not simply a pale imitation of our flagship in Piccadilly. Instead, visitors will discover products and services exclusive to Hong Kong, along with all the things Fortnum’s is known and loved for, including tea, biscuits, preserves, marmalade, champagne, chocolates and wine. And of course, our famous hampers have made the journey too, soon to be a welcome sight on junk boats, or on picnics up the Peak. Who knows – our wickers tend to get around, you know.

A fragrant tea for a Fragrant Harbour, our new Musea blend is bespoke to Hong Kong and comes in a caddy designed by celebrated contemporary artist Zhang Enli. Meanwhile from 11am, freshly baked biscuits will be available in-store for the very first time, ensuring visitors can partake in the highly important and historic tradition of Elevenses.

Opening in time for Christmas, we are of course bringing all of our festive magic to Hong Kong, from hampers, champers, whiskey and Madeira to glorious gifts, crackers and decorations.

Upstairs, visitors will discover a bar, restaurant and tea salon – heralded by beautiful and intricate wallpaper by English artist Melissa White – which will open later this November.

Here we will be serving lunch, dinner, and naturally, our Afternoon Tea. Around the time that Afternoon Tea became fashionable in England in the 19th century, many foreign concessions were being brought to Hong Kong, and it's no surprise that this delicious tradition was one of them.

Of course, Hongkongers have had to wait almost a century for the very best.