Michelsberg Tailoring Newcastle is now open for business! After months of desk research and discussion with our Newcastle based customers, George and I jumped on the train to walk the streets and finalise arrangements. My last trip to Newcastle was on a GCSE Geography field trip, so it was vital to get a feel for the place…
Today, the last piece of the Michelsberg Tailoring refurbishment programme fell into place. My Italian table and chairs finally landed. The table came in two boxes – one for the top, one for the base. Taped to the base was an Allen key, eight screws, four clips and…no instructions. “Don’t panic, Mr Mannering,” I said to young George. How hard can this be?…
This Sunday I relaxed with a gin and tonic and read a profile on Amancio Ortega in the business section of The Sunday Times. Starting out in life as a tailors assistant, he is the ultimate ‘rags to riches’ story. With a net worth of over sixty billion, he is the founder of Inditex, the…
Introducing Michelsberg Tailoring’s next apprentice, Mr George Lewis. Here he is below, signing his life away at Michelsberg HQ in the Victoria Quarter, Leeds. Formerly selling menswear at House of Fraser, he will join the ranks on September 11th. His initial approach to me was highly professional, and throughout the interview process, conducted himself like a gentleman. Polite, enthusiastic, with…
The former writer A.A. Gill declared that, “in your thirties, you are too old to wear a T-shirt anywhere but in the gym, you can’t do hoodies any more, or trainers, you should be able to tie a bow tie and you can’t wear shorts in the city. Forty is when you check yourself for all…
This month I had the pleasure of sharing my ten-year business journey with up-and coming start-up businesses, at a Leeds Enterprise Network event, held at the Yorkshire Post offices in Leeds. Whilst determination, enthusiasm, self-belief and luck have played a large part in keeping me on the right track (I’m hardly a big success yet!), there…
Five days after Christmas and despite my blood / alcohol level, I’m feeling bloody marvellous. There’s no doubt it’s my favourite part of the year. A time for indulgence, family and friends. Here I am, just before Christmas Eve, sinking a few (12%!) ales in ‘Friends Of Ham’ with my oldest friend Pete, over from…
As an A-level economics student, I remember watching a case study on a Japanese car manufacturer and their ‘Kaizen’ approach to working practices. Translated, it means “change for the better,” and has become a term to describe a business philosophy of continuous improvement across all business functions and every member of staff. Most memorable, was a thousand employees, dressed…
This month, it’s been party time at Michelsberg HQ to celebrate 10 years of bespoke tailoring. Over a hundred and fifty of my customers, suppliers, family and friends, gathered to enjoy the fabulously talented Vernon Sisters, who performed an eclectic mix of Hollywood swing, Gatsby glamour and 1940’s vintage cabaret. On the grand piano, I had the silky smooth Stewart Garden tinkling the…
Michelsberg Tailoring is ten years old! Born on a kitchen table in June 2006, it crawled to “Queen Square,” a business incubator, and started “whipping the cat” – tailoring talk for visiting customers at their homes and offices – and operating out of the Malmaison hotel in Leeds. Lavished by its father (that’s me) with boundless love and…