Hello my fellow telly addicts. Channel 4 recently showed a three part documentary showing the inner workings of extravagant department store Liberty, situated in Regent Street in the centre of London. I really love these kinds of documentaries and this one totally lived up to my expectations. We were informed at the beginning of the series that Liberty has gotten a new managing director Ed Burstell, who is camp and brilliant. He treats his staff like equals, finding their strengths and praising them which is seen in one episode where he acknowledges the services and dedication of staff members who have been loyal to the store for years. He is the kind of portrayed as the boss that everyone kind of dreams of, friendly and approachable but not overbearing. I would really like to meet him and if Ed was to ever read this, just get in touch my love.
During the course of the series we meet some of the richest people in London, willing to spend upwards of £500 on baubles as a 'taster' of what the actual decorations of their Christmas tree will look like - It puts my '2 packs for £10' bargain baubles to shame. These rich clientele are treated like royalty and so they should be if they spend £2000 on a jumper! If you're dishing out the dough you expect the best in all areas and this is one of the founding principles of Liberty. I suppose my love of this programme is the fact it allows me to live vicariously through the stupidly rich. I actually felt as some points that I was shopping in the store, telling them not to buy that scarf because it's made from last seasons prints (as if I'd know). One of my favorite members of staff was Will from men's wear. He had such a good rapport with his customers and they actually just trusted him to make them look good so much so that if he said that the leather jacket don't look to hot then they didn't buy. Will was one of the top sellers at Liberty and he got commission for the sales he made but what makes the staff at Liberty extra special is that they seemed to like their job! Like I go into a shop and most of the time the assistant could care less if I can't find what I'm looking for or if they give me a bag with a hole in but at Liberty they care, and this leaves me with the question as to why it's only in the posh shops that customer service exists? Ok, well I know money but I'm forking over money in other shops to sometimes quite a bit so I just think the shopper needs a little more appreciation.
Liberty also plays host to some dazzling celebrity events. In the series, poor little Louie (I think that was his name and I apologise if it's not) was put in charge of managing a book signing and meet and greet for 'IT' girl Alexa Chung. Luckily he pulled it off but it was touch and go for a while. Oh and guess who was collaborating with Liberty to create a new and exclusive perfume, if you said Richard E Grant then you must be like psychic or have watched the show.
Overall this programme was a massive success as a documentary. Like there are literally loads more things that went on that A) I kind of can't remember because it was a few weeks ago and although I am dedicated to TV, I won't be watching the series again to make notes and B) the list is too numerous of the things I can remember. The only thing left for me to say is watch the show if you can on 4od because it's worth it.
10/10
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