The original Stratford department store - it has prime location and is the best of its kind but…read moredoes have an Are you Being Served feel to it. You can buy pretty much all that you want here and parking in Bell Court is fine. there is also a cafeteria and some loos on the top floor which is OK. Most of the action is on the ground floor which feels a bit like a rabbit warren but does provide a nice cut through from one street to another if you know your way around. Not sure how long it will stay in such a prime location on these difficult times but I do hope that it will remain. Could definitiely do with a facelift and a bit of fresh thinking

I Love Phase Eight clothes. Ok, so it's quite pricey so I only really go here when I have a…read morewedding/Christmas party to attend. The shop is quite small and has 2 floors. The clothes are on the ground floor with a changing rooms on the 1st floor. The staff are very helpful and attentive and give good advice on what they think suits your body shape. Of course, their job is to advise you but it is also to try and sell you their clothes. They do such a good job that you often leave with a full outfit, shoes and jewellery - so be warned and take plenty of cash. The clothes are really good quality and classic so they won't go out of fashion - I purchased a black dress from there a few years ago and have worn it several times & people always comment on how lovely it is. If you are looking for a special outfit, I can highly recommend Phase Eight.

a league apart from any other in terms of quality clothing and service. a great shame it closed. I…read morenow travel to Malvern for a shop that's similar

The cafe upstairs in Fred Winter has really loveely food (and that includes the vegetarien…read moreoptions). the man and lady that run the show are lovely! They really make you feel welcome. But beware if one of the young 'n's serves you! They forgot our order meaning we had to wait over half an hour for a sandwich and when they brought it it was the wrong stuff as they had obviously just made it up to cover us the fact they forgot the write it down! Nice food though.

A History of Fred Winter Ltd (https://sites.google.com/site/fredwinterltd)…read more Fred Winter was a 23 year old Suffolk man who described himself as a draper and auctioneer when he opened his first store on the 25th June 1858. The store was located at 17 and 18 High Street Stratford Upon Avon, and sold general drapery, haberdashery and high quality outfitting for gentlemen. By 1881 Frederick, his wife and a family of five daughters and three sons, shop assistants Clara Cowles, Frank Gibbons, William Potter and James Thornber, and two servants Mary Lively and May Morris, lived above the shop in what is today Marlow's restaurant. This was to be Stratford first real department store [the Shipston sheep farmer JC smith didn't open his store, now Debenhams, until 1870] and was a huge success not only with the towns growing population but also with customers from far and wide as is the case today. Frederick Winter died in 1897 aged 62 leaving the running of the business to his 31 year old son Fred. Fred was a skilful retailer and businessman who by 1908 had incorporated the spacious premises at 14 High Street and turned it into a thriving business. In March 1917 Fred bought the freehold to Reynolds grocery store at 30 and 31 High Street and for the next seven years the company operated from both sides of the street selling everything from reels of cotton, luggage, straw boaters to Aquascutum coats. The lease holds of 14, 16, 17 and 18 High Street were relinquished in 1924 and the Fred Winter store operating solely from 30-31 High Street, became a limited company. By this time Mr Fred Winter had become a local dignitary serving as Mayor on more than one occasion and was responsible with 'Marie Corelli' in uncovering and restoring many of the famous half timbered buildings in Stratford. He died aged 71 in 1941. The business then passed to his 43 year old son Frederick Charles [Eric] Winter who instigated many innovative retailing changes plus the modernisation and enlargement of the store with the building of Bell Court in the 1970's including a large modern extension on the back of the existing Fred Winter Ltd Frontage in High Street. Frederick Brian Winter, the great grandson of the founder took over the business in 1973 and under his skilful guidance achieved unrivalled success over the next 25 years. By the early 1990's Brian's son Guy Winter was in the business and the store became renowned for selling an ever increasing range of merchandise that included furniture, carpets, furnishing fabrics, dress fabrics haberdashery ladies fashion, bed linen, gifts, china and glass. By the late 1990's Bell Court had become run down and a decision was made to build a brand new store behind an existing building in Henley Street. The large and stylish building was completed in 1999 and has undoubtedly become Stratford's premier store. After Brian Winter's retirement a few years ago the company is now under the overall direction of Guy Winter. Steve Newman