Elys

Department store that never gets really busy. It has a big topshop concession on the 1st floor and you can often find good bargains in the sales as most people head into Central London.

An old style department store, along the lines of House of Fraser. Not too big and mostly catering for the women’s market. There is an electrical section on the top floor and also a cafe/restaurant. The food is overpriced and relies on repeat custom from their own staff and older patrons. All floors are accessible by escalator or lift.

Medium sized department store which has bee completely revamped three years ago. It now houses many designer brands including the likes of Karen Millen. As such it is now considered quite an expensive store and not necessarily one for your more everyday needs. Having said that it has been done out beautifully, it is light and spacious with fantastic lighting. The cafe is still on the top floor which offers generally mediocre food at quite high prices.

Until a couple of years ago, Elys was quite a curiosity. Despite the department store's prime location in affluent, leafy Wimbledon it was way behind the times. Passers by and visitors could have been forgiven for thinking it was the prototype for television's cult comedy classic 'Are You Being Served?'. Strange indeed!

Things are quite different now that the store has undergone a revamp. There is a relatively glitzy beauty hall; upmarket accessories including Lola Rose jewellery and designer sunglasses; top fashion brands abound on the first floor. A vague reminder of old times lingers on the top floor with its café, travel concession and china department but now it seems a more fitting presence and likelier to fulfill demanding shoppers needs.