The story
Berry Bros. & Rudd was founded by the Widow Bourne in 1698 at 3 St. James's Street, London, which today is a Grade II* listed building still used as the company's headquarters. No.3, as it is known, contained Berry Bros. & Rudd's main retail premises until mid-2017, when these moved around the corner to a purpose-built shop at 63 Pall Mall. The company has a discounted store next to its main warehouse in Basingstoke, Hampshire, and additional offices in Battersea as well as overseas in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The company started out selling coffee, and then diversified into cocoa, tea, snuff, spices, and other exotic goods, quickly becoming one of London's most fashionable grocers. Its West End location and close proximity to St James's Palace also contributed to its growing popularity. In 1903 they formulated a ginger liqueur to revivify Edward VII from cold car journeys, still purveyed as The King's Ginger.
During the years, it has counted many famous customers among its clientele including: Lord Byron, William Pitt the Younger, the Aga Khan, and Beau Brummell.
2017 saw the opening of the BBR retail store located around the corner from the original shop. The two locations are adjoined by a walk through hall, and the retail space is now standing at 62–63 Pall Mall, London.
The design of the new store was made by Mowat & Company. The project involved transforming the ground floor of the adjoining building and cellars on Pall Mall, transforming into a modern retail wine shop for Berry Bros. & Rudd — their first new London shop since the company’s founding in 1698.
All external and internal signage was made as a duplication of the original identity. The distinctive BBR marks were crafted by Nick Garrett NGS Signwriting and Pentagram design studio.
In 2020, Emma Fox became CEO, succeeding Lizzy Rudd, who had been serving as interim executive chair following Dan Jago’s departure in January 2019. Lizzy Rudd continues in her role as Chair of the Board. In May 2026, it was announced that Emma Fox would step down as chief executive, with Rob Symington and Emily Rae appointed as co‑chief executives.
In 2023, the company acquired a minority stake in the Cotswolds Distillery and acquired a 50% stake in Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire, England.
From Wikipedia’s article on Berry Bros. & Rudd, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4