House of Fraser

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!!!

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 3^rd 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

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.

Really nice experience here today. The staff helped me finish of my christmas shopping. By being friendly and efficient. A wonderful store to visit. JT :)

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.

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 café 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 :)

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 would agree with the comments posted in the other reviews on here. Rackhams, aka House of Fraser, is definitely not what it was. When we were children, I remember my mother taking my brother and I into town as a treat and a visit to Rackhams was always a must. The store had a very exclusive feel and discerning clientele, and you knew that the goods were of the highest quality. Sadly, it declined with the rebranding which I recall must have been nearly 10 years ago now. If the attempt of the House of Fraser management was to aim mid-​market, then it shows. The exclusive feel of the store is long gone and I’ve found the service to be routinely poor. The staff are too young and disinterested; most seem more engaged with eachother’s conversations and gossip than the interests of the customer. This isn’t just confined to the Birmingham store I’ve experienced the same issue at the Oxford Street and Manchester branches. House of Fraser are running scared over John Lewis’ expansion into Birmingham, and they’re right to be. If it is anything like their Oxford Street store, I think it will be highly successful when it opens in two years’ time. I’ve found the service to be impeccable; the store is well laid out and the goods are high quality.

Out dated and looking tired. It seems the parent company have no interest in this store and have accepted defeat to the Bullring and Mailbox. Used to be special, but doesnt seem to have that certain something any more.

Rackham’s/House of Fraser isn’t what it used to be. I feel the introduction of the Bullring, in particular Debenhams and Selfridges, have taken the shine off this once very popular department store.
Situated away from the buzz of the Bullring on Corporation Street, it’s a walk away from the most popular part of town. It’s still good for a wonder up to here if you want to hop somewhere a bit quieter, and there are still plenty of stores in the surrounding areas.
House of Fraser is over quite a few levels, and offers everything you would expect from a department store; clothing, home wares, technology, cosmetics, a food hall and a restaurant.
It’s worth stopping by here to escape the hoards of people in the Bullring.

again this shop is for people with money, its overpriced and all the staff think they are it!
I personally dont go in here if i dont have to!

I feel Selfridges has took the shine off Rachams/​House of fraser these days — the shop is looking slightly worn with spaces in the store left empty.
Also the food department is terrible! A couple of years ago it was great with loads of counters and different stock but now its alomost non existent.
Would always go to Selfridges as an alternative to HOF these days.

If your after personal service to a high quality whilst shopping for designer items then this is the store you want to visit. I personally feel its a little overpriced, the best time to visit is when the sales are on as items seem more reasonable.

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!

This is a huge department store that has different concession of various designer shops. They have it all, from cosmetics to jewellery to food, to handbags. However, it is relatively more expensive than your average high street store. It’s the kind of place you visit if you really willing to splash out. If you’re into designer labels then this is the place to be.