Harrods is to remove sculptures of Mohamed al Fayed who is accused of raping and sexually assaulting dozens of women.
The famous store in Knightsbridge, west London, has submitted a planning application to renovate a detailed Egyptian-themed hall and replace a five-floor escalator which features busts depicting former owner Fayed as a pharaoh.
The application acknowledges “the Egyptian Escalator explicitly celebrates Mr al Fayed, including sixteen huge sculptures of his face”, adding that they represent “a visual reminder of his misdeeds”.
It adds: “Obituaries, while referring to his extraordinary business career, characterised him as a liar, a fantasist and an aggressive sexual predator.
“This is not ‘contested heritage’ in the sense that there is some historical issue at stake; it is the continuing public celebration of a man whose victims are still alive.”
The Egyptian Escalator in Harrods and busts depicting Fayed as an Egyptian pharaoh. Pic: Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Pic: Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
In an update in August, the Metropolitan Police said 146 people had come forward to report a crime as part of their investigation into the former Harrods boss, who died in 2023 aged 94.
Harrods told Sky News it has submitted plans to make changes to the interior of the Grade II* listed building.
“Having heard feedback from survivors, we have been working to expedite the proposed redevelopment project of the Egyptian escalators, and a planning and listed building consent application has now been submitted,” it said in a statement.
“Any proposed changes in store require considered plans, lengthy assessments, and close work with a number of relevant authorities.”
Read more from Sky News:
Fayed: Never far from controversy
Probe into handling of Fayed reports
Harrods challenges legal fees
Fayed sold Harrods to Qatar Holdings in 2010 and his other main asset in the UK, Fulham FC, was offloaded in 2013 to the US businessman Shahid Khan.
In June, Sky News reported that Harrods is preparing to take legal action against the estate of its former owner, as the multimillion-pound legal bill for compensating his sexual abuse victims continues to escalate.
More than 100 survivors of alleged sexual abuse by Fayed have entered Harrods’ redress scheme, the department store said in July.
The Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation into how it handled historical allegations of offending by Fayed.
It will also look into any potential facilitators and enablers, and whether any misconduct or corruption occurred.
It is looking at individuals surrounding Fayed who could have enabled him to commit crimes which are claimed to have spanned decades between 1977 and 2014.
