Labour and Wait and John Boyd hats open new stores in Marylebone

London landlord The Portman Estate has confirmed the opening of two new independent stores in London’s Marylebone area.

Traditional household goods and workwear clothing retailer Labour and Wait has opened at 48 Dorset Street, and Royal milliner John Boyd hats has relocated from Knightsbridge to Marylebone with a new store at 16A Quebec Street.

It’s Labour and Wait’s second London store, having opened its first shop at 85 Redchurch Street in Shoreditch in 2010. Selling ‘functional products for household, kitchen and garden’, the retailer also sells workwear clothing from Norfolk-based brand Old Town, jeans from Blackhorse Lane Ateliers, gilets from Lavenham, boots from Blundstone and traditional hand-framed Guernsey jumpers and Breton tops.

Scottish milliner John Boyd, who made hats for Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, in more recent times, sadly died aged 93 in 2018, but he left the business to long-standing Creative Director Sarah Marshall to continue his name and the crafting of couture hats, from poms to berets and boaters for Ascot, bridal wear and all other dressing up occasions.

The Portman Estate’s Head of Retail, Philip Norris, said: “Retailers are part of the lifeblood of our city and we can’t wait to see them re-take their place as part of the community’s day to day life in London.

“With such strong additions to the oasis of retailers already in The Portman Estate, we are thrilled to announce the arrival of John Boyd hats and Labour and Wait. We are constantly looking to adapt and build our offering for our visitors and residents and the mix of classic and contemporary brands joining the district is incredibly exciting.”