In 1705 Hugh Mason had a small shop in St James's Market and rented his spare room to William Fortnum, a footman in Queen Anne's household. The Royal Family insisted upon having new candles every night so the enterprising footman sold the half-used wax that was leftover. The gentlemen went into business together and set up a shop called Fortnum and Mason in 1707, in Piccadilly. With Fortnum using his palace connections the store prospered and has been on Piccadilly for over 300 years.
In 1965 Fortnum and Mason added the ornate clock over their front entrance on Piccadilly. It weighs three tons and the front of the building needed to be reinforced when it was installed. The eighteen bells chime every 15 minutes and on the hour to the tune of the Eton School anthem, doors open and four foot high figures of Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason appear. They bow to each other, check standards are being upkept(!), turn around and go back inside.
The bells were made at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry who also produced Big Ben and the original Liberty Bell.
Find out more about Fortnum & Mason.
Images 1-6 of 6
 Fortnum and Mason |  Fortnum and Mason Clock 1 |  Fortnum and Mason Clock 2 |  Fortnum and Mason Clock 3 |
 Fortnum and Mason Clock 4 |  Fortnum and Mason Clock 5 |
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