SWOD = Special Weapons Ordnance Device (US Navy)
The roof terrace hosted terraced gardens, cafes, a mini golf course and an all-girl gun club. The roof, with its spectacular views across London, was a popular place for strolling after a shopping trip and was often used for fashion shows. As with much of central London during World War II, Selfridges suffered serious damage on a number of occasions during the 57 nights of the London Blitz from 7 September 1940, and in 1941 and 1944.[17] After the devastating bombing of the west end on 17/18 September 1940 by a combined force of 268 Heinkel 111 and Dornier Do 17 bombers[17] – after which the stores Art Deco lifts didn’t work again until post-WW2, and the signature window was shattered[17][18] – Harry vowed never to open the rooftop gardens again,[19] and had the ground floor windows bricked-up.[17][18] The roof terrace reopened again for the first time since in July 2011, for a promotional event staged by Truvia as part of their UK launch.[20] Bompas & Parr designed a publicly accessible art-installation, consisting of a rowing lake which was dyed green, with 12 rowing boats and an accompanying bar.[19] In Summer 2012, Bompas & Parr designed an art installation themed as “The Big British Tea Party”, which included a cake-themed 9-hole crazy golf course, accompanied by a Daylesford Organic sponsored tea house.[21]
The bomb on 17 April 1941 destroyed only the beautiful Palm Court Restaurant, venue for the rich and famous.[17] However, at 11 pm on 6 December 1944, a V-2 rocket hit the Red Lion pub on the corner of Duke Street and Barrett Street. A canteen in the SWOD basement area (see above) was massively damaged, with eight American servicemen killed and 32 injured, as well as ten civilian deaths and seven injuries.[17] In the main building, ruptured water mains threatened SIGSALY, and while the Food Hall was the only department that did not need cleaning, Selfridges’ shop-front Christmas tree displays were blown into Oxford Street.[17][18] By 2010, only two of the four major pre-World-War-II Oxford Street retailers—Selfridges and John Lewis—survive in retail, while Bourne & Hollingsworth (now remembered in the name of a bar in Fitzrovia), and Peter Robinson (acquired in 1946 by Burton’s), are no longer trading.[17] Selfridges is the only retailer still trading in the same building, which still bears the scars of war damage, while John Lewis has moved.[17] Bourne & Hollingsworth is now the Plaza Shopping Centre at No 120, while Peter Robinson is now Niketown at No 200-236.[17]
Delilah 