A major institution of the city's bustling shopping scene, Fenwick Newcastle first opened its doors in March 1882 and quickly became the city’s ultimate shopping destination.
Now home to five floors of huge brands, luxury items and nine stunning eateries, join us as we take an exclusive trip behind the scenes to share with you Fenwick's glittering history and some of our favourite Christmas windows!
A Beloved Newcastle Institution
Deeply ingrained in the fabric of Newcastle, it’s hard to imagine our bustling city centre without Fenwick. At the heart of our city’s buzzy shopping metropolis, Fenwick has gifted NE1 with so many wonderful family memories, whether that’s a birthday meal at Fuego, precious Christmas window moments with little ones, or an exciting Saturday shopping spree with your pals. It’s fair to say Fenwick is more than a store to many in the region.
Whilst the store remains an icon, and a historic part of the city, its continued evolution, especially over recent years, means it remains at the forefront of retail, pushing the city forward. Across its five floors Fenwick can offer brands and concessions that can’t be found anywhere else in the city, including Charlotte Tilbury and Gucci, as well as gorgeous menswear from leading high-end brands, and some of Newcastle’s most delicious eateries, there truly is something for everyone to this day.
And yet despite the huge global brands, Fenwick remains integral to the independent business community in the city - providing invaluable high-street space for local brands such as Dabbawal, Magpye and more recently, Dot Bagels, to flourish.
A major player that attracts people into the heart of the city centre, next time you’re in the city, go and experience this thriving store for yourself and lose yourself in a myriad of cutting-edge brands and sleek and stylish surroundings. It’s no wonder Fenwick continues to define people’s lives in the city, here’s to the next 140 years!
Step Back Through The Mists Of Time
Let's explore Fenwick's history! In 1882, Northern businessman, John James Fenwick, arrived in the city to buy and renovate a disused doctor’s house for £181 and 4 shillings (around £23,000 in today’s money - not bad for a prime piece of NE1 real estate!) at 5 Northumberland Street. This would become his first store and the start of the Fenwick story; JJ Fenwick, Mantle Maker and Furrier - the place to visit if you were after silk goods, dresses, fabrics and decorative trimmings!
After a successful start supplying the well-dressed people of NE1 (nothing’s changed in 140 years we might add) with corsets and top hats, Fenwick went on to acquire 37/38 Northumberland Street in 1885 before snapping up 40 Northumberland Street in 1890, as his wonderful department store began to take off!
Despite two World Wars, a global pandemic and various other crazy events across the globe, Newcastle’s flagship Fenwick store still stands on the exact site, offering the same world-class customer service, the finest products and memorable in-store experiences from over a century before.
Fenwick’s Enchanting Christmas Windows
Newcastle's festive experience was taken to the next level in 1971, as Fenwick debuted its first animated Christmas window display to thousands of curious onlookers! Now an iconic tradition ingrained in our city’s Christmas offering, here are just a few of our favourite Christmas window displays from years gone by…
1971
CAMBERWICK GREEN
The bold decision to dedicate an entire shop window to recreate kids' TV series, Camberwick Green, paid off massively for Fenwick, as thousands of families flocked to the city centre to enjoy Captain Snort, Private Feathervy and Windy Miller!
1981
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Now a firm festive tradition for the region, Fenwick celebrated 10 years of Christmas windows with a spectacular reimagining of Lewis Caroll’s magical novel, Alice in Wonderland. The Mad Hatter was causing havoc, Cheshire Cat was being, well, Cheshire Cat and Alice was guiding us through a fabulously festive fantasy world!
1994
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
A spectacular sight for those there to see it, 1994’s Christmas Village was an enchanting winter wonderland that captured the hearts and minds of onlookers almost as much as King Kev and the NUFC squad had that year!
2019
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was another cracking window display that had the Toon desperate for a golden ticket. Teeming with festive colours and a heartfelt story, the city was treated to a sublime puppet portrayal of Willy Wonka, Charlie and Grandpa Joe in Dahl’s unmistakable style. Simply lush!
2021
SHAUN THE SHEEP
Who knew adorable sheep could be so popular? More than 221,000 people hunkered down in their living rooms last year, as Fenwick treated us to the grand-unveiling of Shaun the Sheep! Shaun and his chums got up to all sorts of festive mischief as this beloved Geordie tradition lit up Newcastle’s enchanting Christmas experience in spectacular fashion.
What's your favourite Fenwick memory? Get in touch via our social channels. Twitter: @NewcastleNE1, Instagram: @NewcastleNE1, Facebook: @GetIntoNewcastle.
