Tailor- made role suits Mike to a T
YOu don’t need to open a high Street shop to start a retail business.
Self- confessed ‘ professional suit wearer’ Mike Lane, 57, runs his Suit the City franchise in the west Country, offering made-toorder suits and casualwear.
he offers his services through two branches of the shoe shop the Brogue trader, in Bath and Exeter.
Mike, a former managing director of a packaging business, says: ‘Customers make an appointment in the stores for a private consultation. But i often meet clients in their homes or at their workplaces, too.
‘this gives my business a high Street presence without the major cost of retail space. My background in management and business ownership, plus Suit the City’s training helped make this business a success.
‘i started in May 2017 and have a large clientele, including local celebrities, business leaders and professional sportsmen.’
Carol Rawson, managing director at Suit the City, says: ‘ as well as saving on the cost of expensive retail rents, all our garments are made to order so you don’t have to store stock and there’s no waste as you don’t have unsold items.’
the men’s tailoring franchise costs £19,950; the women’s £22,950. You do not need previous tailoring experience, but you should enjoy meeting people and selling.
if you are considering a franchise, check out award winners who have already gone down that path.
this year’s British Franchise association/ hSBC Franchisor Of the Year is McDonald’s Restaurants; other winners were agency Express, Driver hire, we Love Pets, Stagecoach Performing arts, tutor Doctor and Revive! auto innovations.
Franchisees Of the Year were hayley Limpkin, franchisee with Razzamataz theatre Schools, almas adam (Right at home), Diljit Brar (Costa Coffee), Neil hatt (inXpress) and the illingworth family (Dyno Services).