Some things are worth preserving

The John Lewis Partnership Heritage Centre

It is always pleasing to discover something hidden and a real gem.  Such is the Heritage Centre at Bookham, near Maidenhead, for the John Lewis Partnership.

The centre at Cookham not only maintains the records and artefacts for the John Lewis and Waitrose businesses - everything from packaging designs, old tills, advertisements and the staff magazine - but also a selection of the 30 000 textile designs dating from between 1800 and 1980. Some 5000 of these designs are displayed in the viewing gallery catalogued by date and designer.

This archive is magnificent with a range and breath of designs for both interior design and fashion which should be an inspiration to any student or lover of textiles.

The exterior of the centre has been sympathetically designed and incorporates glazing mixed with timber panels carved with a stencil design from one of the many prints in their collection.

The centre is open to the public and further details can be found at - https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/about/our-heritage/heritage-centre.html