My Independent Marylebone: David Mellor
Q&A with Corin Mellor, Owner of David Mellor.
Tell us about your business?
The company was founded by my father, David Mellor, back in the 1960s. He was keen on manufacturing and retail as well as design and it was always his vision to combine all three in a unique way. As a company, we specialise in tableware and our famous cutlery is produced in our own award-winning factory in the Peak District National Park. As well as our own designs, the shop also carries what we believe to be London’s finest collection of tableware, kitchenware and English crafts.
What makes your store special?
Starting with the bricks and mortar, the arts & crafts period building itself is beautiful and was originally a dairy. We restored the building ourselves using our own craftspeople. We also designed and made all the interiors and fittings in-house to create a complete ‘David Mellor’ environment. The company philosophy has always been that the settings our products are sold in should be as well-designed and well-made as the products themselves.
What is your favourite item in your store?
It has to be our beautiful ‘Pride’ cutlery. This was designed by my father in 1953 when he was still a student at the Royal College of Art. Revolutionary for its time, it was actually the first student design to be put into mass production. Over the years it seems to have won every design award going and is still our bestselling range. There’s something so pure and perfect about the design that makes it feel timeless.
What do you love about Marylebone Village?
I love the vibrant feel, the mix of independent shops with selected high street favourites, the superb restaurants, and the genuine sense of community. It’s extremely rare to find this combination anywhere but the fact it’s so close to Oxford street is always amazing to me. It’s a haven right in the middle of central London.
What is your favourite memory in Marylebone Village?
My favourite Marylebone memory without question is when we opened our New Cavendish Street shop. We were looking for five years to find the right space; a shop location where the architecture really shone and could match the beautifully designed products. After being so involved in the restoration, and personally making the fixtures and display units, it was a real pleasure to finally open the doors to the public.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
The mouth-watering La Fromagerie on Moxon Street. I’ve always been a huge fan of what Patricia and the team there have worked so hard to create. Their cheese selection is always perfect and their food is simply delicious; whether it’s eaten in, taken away or delivered. If there’s a better cheese shop in London, I’ve yet to see it.
14 New Cavendish St, Marylebone, London W1G 8UW
+44 (0)20 8050 4259
