A well-known Huddersfield menswear business is closing its doors – and rolling back the years – to go online.
Laurie Hopkins Menswear is selling its shop premises at Acre Street, Lindley, after 30 years to trade exclusively online and provide a travelling tailoring service measuring customers for jackets, trousers and formal wear in the comfort of their own homes.
Laurie, who founded the business in 1987, started out as a travelling tailor, having trained as a tailor and cutter before moving into menswear retailing.
Now aged 79, he is still involved in the business on a part-time basis.
His son Michael Hopkins, who now runs the business with his sister, Jayne Senior, said: “We are selling the property and moving more online as well as offering a travelling tailor service. The premises are on the market, but the name Laurie Hopkins Menswear won’t disappear.
“We’re reacting to what’s going on in the retail world and taking the business in a slightly new direction.”
Michael said business had recently been affected by five weeks of road closures for work on the gas mains and parking issues.
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But he said: “Online retailers don’t have the kind of problems faced by ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers.”
He said: “The property is on the market. We have contacted all our suppliers and we will work with them in the meantime to create some exciting special offers for customers. We have a database of customers who we will be contacting on a regular basis.”
Michael, who will take up the travelling tailoring role, said: “We’re bridging the gap between the high street and online – giving people the ability to ‘shop’ in their own home and have personal contact with the retailer.”
Michael joined his father in the business more than 25 years ago – initially to cover for two weeks while Laurie had his appendix out! Jayne joined the team more than 20 years ago working one day a week, but went on to work in the business full-time.
The independent business is known for its made-to-measure suits and jackets, bridegroom’s suits for hire and off-the-peg jackets, shirts and trousers.
