About us

Bernard Lewis opened his first shop on London’s Holloway Road in 1948. Over the following decades the retail business morphed into different brands many of which helped to shape the British high street for generations.

Whilst retail has been at the heart of what Bernard created, the family has gone on to develop the businesses beyond retail to include property, hotels and investment. These businesses provide the funds for the family’s philanthropy.

After many years of giving, the Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust (BLFCT) became an independent charity in 2008. In the subsequent years the Trust has granted many millions of pounds to a wide variety of charities. The intention is to continue to do so for many more years to come.