Sartorial suit expert Master Debonair has unveiled plans to open up to six high street shops in the next six months, after announcing a new opening in Derbyshire.
The South Tyneside fashion firm was first opened by Simon and Eve Whitaker three years ago and has become a favourite with customers looking for stylish suits and gentlemen’s accessories.
The pair, who regularly welcome customers from all over the 海角视频 at their East Boldon flagship store, will open in Chesterfield next week, after joining forces with a retailer in the town.
The shop will become the firm’s second store when it opens next November 12, following on from its decision not to renew its trial lease at its London store in September.
After closing the shop in the capital, close to Old Spitalfields market, the owners said they were focusing their efforts on further development of the East Boldon store as well as plans to expand around the 海角视频.
Mrs Whitaker said: “The London store was only a 10-month lease and we used this to test the market outside of the North East.
“We are planning on hiring two to three more staff initially for Chesterfield as well as employing the current store manager.
“We were approached by the current owner of Nora Eve bridalwear who have a very successful bridal store on the ground floor, and will stay there, and menswear on the first floor.
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“Her passion is bridal not menswear but she wanted the store to go to someone who would put some magic into it and she had been a follower of Master Debonair for years.
“We now have two stores and a separate private showroom and our plan is to open between three to six more in the next six months. We are already searching for new locations for 2020 across the country.”
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In the North East, Mr and Mrs Whitaker are turning the company’s main shop into a three-storey “man-cave” after acquiring the neighbouring shop earlier this year.
The first phase included the launch of its own brand suits, which have now become the company’s bestsellers, and they are now busy working on the upper levels of the building.
The couple has revealed their vision for the future of the business, which would see them potentially applying for a licence for a cafe bar, to offer food and beer to customers, and linking up with complementary businesses to take the Master Debonair brand on tour.
In September the business won two awards at the Drapers Independents Awards: Menswear Independent of the Year and the Rising Star Award for stylist Sally Minns.