With the popularity of British Period Dramas such as Downton Abbey comes one of the most compelling stories of global retail. Selfridges.

‘Mr Selfridge’ charts the life of American entrepreneur, Harry Gordon Selfridge and his vision to make “shopping as thrilling as sex”.

The drama is set in 1909 London, at a time when wealthy women were enjoying a new sense of freedom and modernity. Selfridge wanted to indulge, empower and celebrate these women.

Executive producer Kate Lewis said: “It’s impossible to read about the real Harry Selfridge and not be enthralled. Here’s a man that had it all and lost it all in the most spectacular fashion. His life and the extraordinary legacy he left behind are dripping with drama.”

Featuring Jeremy Piven as Harry Selfridge, the series has been well-received, averaging 8.5 million viewers per episode and a second series has been commissioned.

The drama’s budget is estimated to be roughly in line with that of Downton’s, which costs around £1m an episode to produce.

Following the success of the series, the iconic department store has opened a bar dedicated to its founder Harry Gordon Selfridge.

The Harry Gordon’s cocktail bar will sell the 1909 Smash cocktail and 1909 IPA, to commemorate the year Selfridges opened. The bar will also exclusively stock Craft London beers on tap.