4th June 2007
All very ship shape
As Waterstone's says on their website:
"Now Europe's largest bookshop, it was once home to the renowned department store Simpson's...the inspiration for the much-loved television programme 'Are You Being Served'."
This is a very comfortable and spacious book shop that seems as though it was born to be a bookshop! I love the convenient chairs with big arms that have a flat top for your notebook and pen. Yes, if you're cheeky enough, you can sit and take notes from the books here (as long as you don't damage them) and no-one seems to mind. Well, you're just noting down the titles of books you want to buy!
A special aspect of the shop is the art deco fittings. The women's toilets are decorated with shiny black bakelite (well I'm guessing) and there is a porthole in the door. Ahoy there! yeah.
The marble stairs are so well worn on the pivotal spots that they have potholes in them.
And then, on the 5th floor is the 5th View Restaurant and Bar (reviewed separately on TP by lots of people) with a terrific view. Very classy place to meet someone.