House of Fraser

Birmingham has so many large, impressive, modern, stunning department stores and is actually one of the few cities to have the 6 major British department stores (Selfridges, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and of course HOF), alongside the likes of London and Manchester, although the latter does not have all six in the city centre.

I did find this store to be a little old and uninspiring - it just seemed to lack in terms of overall feel compared to the three newer department stores in the city: John Lewis, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

The staff didn't seem too friendly either, I also found getting in and out of the store to also summarise the store being pretty old.

Again, the product selection is OK in the store and there are some decent brands, but this certainly can't compare to Selfridges in the Bullring in particular.

It is certainly in need of the proposed revamp of over £100 million which has been suggested just to bring it in line with the other department stores in the city as this store just can't compare to them.

2*

What a disappointment! I used to frequent Rackhams, as it used to be, and it was always an enjoyable experience when i used to work in Birmingham, if expensive. With such good memories, I made the 60 mile journey with my daughter to buy a prom dress at House of Fraser. The lack of stock was fairly shocking, but the lack of any staff at tills or willing to serve even when we stood at one while two staff members had a chat a short distance away was worse. The 'luxury washrooms' were in a shocking state. I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Really sad to see this store has plummeted to the depths. A sorry experience.

I started to use Aveda hair products few months ago and signed up for their pure privilege scheme for £10. They recently sent me a voucher for a free bottle of oil and another voucher for double points.

I went to the house of Fraser store (there are concessions in debenhams and now John Lewis in Birmingham). They sat me down and got me to sniff three oils to decide which one I wanted, as I already had one from a set of products I bought at Christmas, I went for the stress fix oil. It was worth £14! They also gave me a free hand massage and booked me into a free facial tomorrow!

They are doing the facial free, so you can just go and book a 20 minute slot!

18.02.2016

I went for the free facial at Aveda, they offered what you would like doing to your skin type, eg radiance, deep cleanse etc. So I chose radiance, where she cleansed, toned and put a face mask on me. You are sat in the store, but with your back to the walkway, and not in a private room. It's free and not for long so I was okay with it! Go and book one if you would like to try! No obligation to buy anything!!!

Previously known as Rackhams, House of Fraser seems to be suffering the same fate as Marks and Sparks in the late 90's. It's struggling to keep up with the times and although it stocks quality gear it's finding it hard to compete with The Bullring.


It's a department store split over about 6 levels. Cosmetics, shoes and accessories on the ground floor, Older ladies fashions on the second, Menswear on the third, young fashions on the fourth and electrical and homeware split between the fifth and sixth.


The women's floor has lots of high class concessions in it; morgan, fullcircle, diesel, miss sixty, coast, ted baker, quiksilver to name but a few. They do have some lovely pieces up here but it is generally set at the very top end of the retail price. The winter sale can be excellent, with most things priced at 50 % less and it usually starts on boxing day. Shoes are paticularly lovely here and also worth a look in the sale.


Will always give it a visit at christmas, no matter what happens..it's easier to browse when there's less people anyway!

House of Fraser Birmingham boasts being one of the largest department store in the UK. Well, that's where it ends. Customer service here is none existent. I went looking for some new shoes and a shirt, premium products at £180 for the shoes and £100 for a shirt, so I expect staff to help me with everything I needed.

First of all, I had a shoe in my hand waiting for a member of staff to approach me, nobody did. So, I walked over to one of the concessions next to the shoe section "oh that is not my area if you wait around someone will come to you", waited a little longer nobody to be found. Asked another member of staff, but they said they were busy counting money in the till and couldn't help me. I ended up putting the shoe back.

Then the shirt I liked. I asked if they could tell me where the changing rooms were, they assistant did not know, so he walked across the store to ask another member of staff. I was then told "they are closed at the moment". This was 3pm on a weekday.

The store itself needs a major refurbishment. It has not changed since I was a teenager in the 1990's. The shop is a ghost town at times and is only going to get worse with John Lewis opening in 2015.

This store has no love or care by those that manage it and it shows. Go elsewhere.

Birmingham's House of Fraser has been a firm fixture on Corporation St for decades going back to when it was called Rackhams.

For clothes, beauty products and homeward, HoF is highly recommended.

Competition has meant that the store has reduced and even stopped a number of its services, most notably the once brilliant Food Hall (which is now gone) and the now minimal electrical department.

On the plus side, the menswear department has continued to grow from strength to strength.

Still a flagship store in Birmingham as it is a byword for quality.

I have been using this store for many years. It's literally a stones throw from my flat for one thing! I especially like the ground floor, which sells Kipling bags and many many shoes:) It has a great Paperchase section too, so if you like their products then buy them from here if you have a House of Fraser store card, as you build up points and get money off vouchers back:)
In the basement, sadly the kitchen wear and foods have gone, but there is now a great bargain area. I have picked up great presents from here and clothes for work too:)
I like the women's wear on the 3rd Floor-it's never too busy in the shop, so you can browse easily and the lighting is good so you can see the clothes properly.
Changing rooms are usually fairly quiet too unless there is some promotion event on.
Men's wear - good for getting my dads socks! lol

Whenever i.m in town the department stores are a must see.

House of Fraser is my favourite to visit as everything is laid out and spaced in a way that everything can be enjoyed. With so many floors everything has a place.

This trip to House of Fraser was to help a friend find boots and mission was successful.

There was an excellent range that was well displayed whilst still allowing for many different styles.

Customer service was brilliant, we had a choice between two boots and they gave us the time to choose.

Rackhams, I mean House of Fraser, has been a steady friend in my shopping quests over the years I've lived in Birmingham's city centre. There is the reliable mix of brands here, and with 'click and collect' service there isn't much that you can't get hold of to this store.
The lower ground floor with the permanent sale is an actual bargain basement. And unfortunately can often look in a more tired, and haggard state than Primark does. It must be difficult maintaining ongoing discount rails and part of me thinks that the basement could be put to much better use.
The ground floor with its beauty counters all brightly lit, shoes, handbags, and a Paperchase concession do well. There are even some Clarins treatment rooms here though I find that the sedate environment within is often shattered by the noise of the shop floor carrying through this old building. I can't fault the service that I have received here on numerous occasions though - always helpful, and there are often beauty events to draw in a crowd.
Clothing wise, things are laid out well. Though the annoying thing is that there is still a separation from the in-house brands, and other concessions so returns have to made at the brands themselves or at concession counters directly. It does mean traipsing around a large department store on a mission though.
I love the homewares and interior departments. I find that there is a great selection of products to choose from, and the range always seems to be updating so there is a constant shift in choice.
The haberdashery is nicely stocked though the service in this department can be lacking. I'm often left waiting at the till for an assistant only to find them all knitting at the table, or having a chat. It's annoying as House of Fraser seem to stock some of my favourite craft bits, but I put up with it as I don't want to head to the markets for the same products (though I am paying the price for it). I guess I should look to order online to avoid this!
I think that this building is looking tired, and the interior is due a much needed facelift. The toilet facilities require an update for certain as the cranky system creaks and strains to cope with the tap being turned (there is a choice of trickle or full shower so choose carefully).
Overall House of Fraser is reliable for brand event discounts, a good sale every season, and a wide choice of brands. I wish it didn't look so tired compared to the Bullring, Grand Central, and the Mailbox though.

Whenever I am in Birmingham City Centre, this is one of the places I love to have a mooch around.

I love looking around the ladies fashion areas, and make a beeline for those areas straight away bypassing the cosmetic counters as I come in unless there is something specific I need.

The cafe at the top floor is pleasant with plenty of seating, and I have indulged in a cream tea on one occasion which was reasonably priced. I have also treated myself to breakfast here in the past to fuel myself before hitting the shops, and it certainly hit the spot.

If you arriving by rail New Street station is 10mins walk away, with Snow Hill train station even closer at 5mins walk.

They stay open until 7pm every day, apart from Sundays when they close at 5pm.

All in all a great store to pick up a gift or to treat yourself :)