Goodwood Revival Revives the High Street

In Goodwood by Jonathan Humphrey

The 2012 Goodwood Revival will be a bustling shopper’s paradise for lovers of vintage fashion and products of the Revival era. 

Amongst the fabulous classic racing, take a break, once again The Goodwood Revival will be featuring its great vintage high street featuring all the favourites from the revival period 1948-1966. Tesco will again be there with an authentic early 1960s supermarket with packaging of all the brands from the era. Othere will be Kenwood, De Longhi, Bates Hats and Biba, as well as an extensive Revival Market and Over The Road exhibition area. There will be a huge choice of vintage clothes and automobilia.  The Goodwood Revival market boosts some of the best names on the vintage scene, from Cordings of Piccadilly, to the Ministry of Britishness, Browne & Daughters and Laura Kashden, and with over 100 stores, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

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The vast majority of Revival visitors go to great lengths to dress in period style and achieve that authentic look. The resulting step-back-in-time spectacle plays a key role in making the Revival such a unique event. While not required to dress up (unless visitors ‘qualify’ for central Paddock access, in which case a jacket and tie is necessary for gentlemen, and a dress or suit for the ladies), Revival spectators feel much more involved in their tweeds and trilbies, and frills and frocks at the biggest motor racing party of the year.

The Revival High Street has a period Tesco supermarket that brings back memories of the big old boxes of Daz and the rows of Campbell’s tomato soup, as well as Green Shield Stamps and the spectacular glamour of the check-out assistants.  Tesco shoppers can return to the early 1960s shopping experience at the Revival as they step across the aisles and back in time at Tesco’s replica store. The doors of the 1,700sq ft supermarket swing open at 7:30 on the morning of the 14th September, with the return of Marathon bars, Treats, Opal Fruits, and many other products, all available to buy in their authentic packaging from the period. Lovers of traditional cheddar cheese are bound to enjoy the Davidstow of Cornwall cheese shop too!

Kenwood will be taking a step back in time to the 1950s where the war was over and rationing had come to an end. Society as a whole was spending more money on items such as kitchen appliances and families across Britain were sitting together to eat their meals, including dishes such as ‘Savoury Snow Pie’. Other classic dishes from the era include ‘Bourbon Biscuits’ and ‘Victoria Sponge’. Fast forward into the future where popular recipes included ‘Onion Soup’, ‘Baked Meat Loaf’ and ‘Chocolate Gateau’. A selection of these great recipes and others will be whipped up by a variety of guest Chefs in replica kitchens of the 1950s and a kitchen of the future.

Kenwood will also be re-inventing the original British Tea Houses of the first half of the 20th century. Corner Houses were originally started by Lyons in the late 1800’s, and would sell baked goods and tea to their customers. The Lyons Corner Houses branched out across Britain to reach a total of 200 in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s; the Kenwood Corner House will recreate the magic of this by-gone era. Tea and cake will be available in the Kenwood Corner House

De Longhi will recreate the cult 2i’s Coffee Bar, a coffee bar based in the basement of 59 Old Compton Street, Soho, between 1956 and 1967. The 2i’s was owned by Paul Lincoln, an Australian wrestler and wrestling promoter and its name was derived from earlier owners, two brothers named Idle.

For the ladies, Biba was a leading 1960s fashion brand and will be offering its styling range from its Revival High Street shop.  Biba began life as a small mail-order company, and opened its first store on Abingdon Road, Kensington in 1964. A legion of fans and celebrities followed quickly and the logo soon became synonymous with the coolest fashionistas. Biba closed its doors in 1975, but the fashion brand was re-launched in 2010 by House of Fraser and the Goodwood Revival celebrates the return of this iconic 60’s brand with a special Biba store.

For the discerning gentleman, Edward Bates Ltd has been supplying stylish hats and caps from their enchanting Jermyn Street shop in London since the turn of the century. Today Bates Hats it is still a family business offering a personal and friendly service to customers from around the world, and promises to be a popular addition to the Revival High Street.

A vast array of exhibitors will also be present Over The Road at the Revival, which will be easier to access this year with a new foot bridge leading directly from the Goodwood Motor Circuit to Over The Road.

As well as shopping around the exhibition stands, all Revival visitors that pop Over The Road can review the tempting lots in the vast Bonham’s classic vehicle auction, admire the 2,000+ classic vehicles that park-up daily in the Revival car show, and eat, drink and be merry with live entertainment, an Old Speckled Hen pubs, and food outlets open every evening until 10pm, so no need to rush off home when the motor racing ends.

To order advance tickets for 2012 Goodwood Revival, please contact the Ticket Hotline
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755055

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