London's legendary Liberty carpet department to close after decades of rare treasures
A hidden gem in London’s retail scene is set to disappear. The Oriental Carpet Department, tucked away on the fourth floor of Liberty London, will close its doors in May 2026. For decades, this quiet corner of the Tudor-style building has been a destination for rare, handcrafted rugs and treasures from distant lands. The department belongs to Bruce Lepere, a collector who personally travels to remote regions to source each piece. His journeys take him to places like Dasht-e Kavir, Peshawar, and the Hindu Kush, where he selects rugs and decorative objects with deep cultural roots. Many items reflect centuries-old weaving traditions from Persia, Anatolia, and Kashmir.
The collection holds over 4,000 handwoven rugs, most of them hand-knotted and one-of-a-kind. Beyond carpets, the space also features curated objects Lepere discovers during his travels. The team is known for finding bespoke pieces to match individual customer requests, building a reputation for exclusivity. Liberty London itself has a long history, founded in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty. The store became famous for its global sourcing of exceptional goods, and the Oriental Carpet Department became one of its most distinctive offerings. Its closure marks the end of an era for a space that has quietly thrived for generations.
The department’s shutdown leaves a gap in London’s retail landscape. Few places now offer such a carefully assembled collection of authentic, handcrafted rugs. When it closes in 2026, a unique piece of the city’s heritage will be lost.
