Franchising Opportunities

Suit the City

Suit the City provide high quality made to measure suits and separates for men and women. Now is the time to join Suit the City at the start of a very exciting expansion programme across the [link removed] We use Savile Row fabrics combined with the latest pattern cutting and manufacturing technology to supply clients with the best in made to measure. Everything is trainable, you do not need to know how to sew!

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Investment Amount: £19950

Industry Sector: Business & Professional Services, Services, High Street Retail

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Have you always dreamt of running your own business?

Do you love fashion and style - but don’t know how or where to start your business?

We can help; become a Suit the City franchisee for a minimal investment of £19,950 + VAT.

Start earning after your initial training period
Potential to earn over £50,000 per annum.
Low set up costs; work from home
You do not need to be a tailor – we have expert tailors in our factories
Suit the City will support you all the way with training, samples, marketing, inspiration and advice. In fact, all the tools you need to be successful – after all your success is our success!

Does this Suit You?

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PLATINUM WAVE SPONSORS SCOTTISH FRANCHISE WEEK

Posted 29 Apr 2013

Independent franchise consultancy Platinum Wave is to sponsor this year’s Scottish Franchise Week, which takes place on April 29-May 3. Now in its 10th year, Scottish Franchise Week aims to inform and…

SUIT THE CITY FRANCHISE ALLOWS TRACEY HOLLOWAY TO ACHIEVE HER AMBITION OF BEING HER OWN BOSS

Posted 19 Apr 2013

After a lifetime in corporate roles, Tracey Holloway still had one major ambition - to work for herself. “Suit the City proved to be the answer,” she told us, “offering a one-to-one personal tailoring…

New year, new career

After a successful recruitment campaign through the autumn, suit the city is delighted to have recruited two high flyers who are embarking on their new careers in 2024. making money thought it would be good to talk to the team to ask some searching questions

MM to Carol Rawson, Suit the City Managing Director, and Sallie Belton, Suit the City Technical Director: We understand you have had a busy few months, what’s the latest news?

CR: In addition to developing our own business, carrying out our role as sponsors of Gloucester Rugby - we supply the team with formal wear - exhibiting at The Business Show at Olympia and the hectic autumn/winter season, we now have franchises in Leeds and Guildford. Both territories are key target areas for our service, with great potential for sales, so I’ve also been working with the franchisees on their marketing plans for next spring.

SB: As always, I’ve been looking after my personal clients, but, in addition, I have been busy visiting the franchisees to train them to fit their clients, use our CRM systems, process orders and so on. Our measuring process is key to the success of the franchisee and is trained in regular sessions during the first three months - so I really get to know the franchisees well and spend up to 10 days with them whilst they learn. It’s hard work, but I love passing on my expertise and it’s great watching them apply their new skills and seeing them grow in confidence.

CR: We are thrilled with the calibre and commitment of our two new recruits. Gordon was an accountant with Lloyds in his previous role, whilst Tony has spent 25 years in retail, holding senior positions at Next and the Burton Group, and most latterly eight years as Operations Director of Mothercare. The good news is they both have a passion for our products and offering excellent service.

MM TO FRANCHISEES GORDON INGLIS AND TONY CARR: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE A SUIT THE CITY FRANCHISE?

TC: I have always loved clothes and having worked in retail for my entire career, I felt I needed a change in my lifestyle, whilst utilising my existing skills f working with customers and offering exemplary service. In the past I have always had to travel to tailors who offered great products, but no unique service. I felt that by going to my customers I could offer a service that was both exceptional and suited to their lifestyle. As time poor executives, the last thing they want to do is shop around for suits.

GI: I feel the same as Tony about clothes and the Suit the City franchise just leapt out at me because it was a service I personally wanted to use, but was unable to find locally. When I talked to colleagues, they too were interested in what Suit the City could offer. So what could be better than providing the service myself? As well as sharing a passion for a great quality product, the company also shares my values by ensuring ethical production, which is of utmost importance to me.

MM TO GORDON AND TONY:
HAS JOINING SUIT THE CITY BEEN A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE?

TC: I have thoroughly enjoyed my training and have to say that some elements have been a really pleasant surprise. I was somewhat reticent about colour, style and image training, but I learnt so much about myself and how to advise my clients. Plus we visited Holland & Sherry in Peebles to get an insight into our fabric suppliers and we set up my marketing before Christmas. The team helped me design my adverts and negotiate with the advertisers so that I could get a swift start in the New Year.

GI: I finished all my skills training just before Christmas and am now meeting clients. I really enjoyed the measuring training with Sallie and passed with flying colours in the middle of December. As well as networking, I have been writing a column in a local magazine and spreading the word locally.

MM: WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE
AS A FRANCHISEE INVOLVE?

TC: The role plays to my strengths. I am and always have been a great networker and just love socialising, so meeting people and offering a service that they want is absolutely right for me. I expect I will have even more time than usual for social occasions, as everyone I meet is a possible client and the product is exciting. My only problem is who to talk to first.

GI: I probably have a slightly different client base to Tony, as I have exited corporate life at an earlier stage, so I am going back to my old colleagues and building my business on referrals and recommendations. Plus there are a lot of country folk in my territory, so as well as people in finance, I can have some fun with my Suit the Country product range - look out Ilkley.

MM TO CAROL AND SALLIE:
NONE OF YOU HAVE MENTIONED SEWING. WHO MAKES THE SUITS?

SB: We have expert tailors in our factories in Europe. None of the franchisees will go near a sewing machine, after all it takes up to 20 years to train a tailor. The franchisee’s role is one of marketing the amazing service we offer - they are the clients’ trusted friend.

CR: When we set up Suit the City, one of our objectives was to ensure consistent quality, so for the first two years we trialled different suppliers to see which could offer the quality we desired for our clients. It was also set in stone that under no circumstances would we use cheap labour or fabrics, so we have an excellent relationship with Holland & Sherry in Savile Row, who supply many of our fabrics. Whenever possible we support the British economy with tweeds from Scotland and wool worsted from Yorkshire. Plus our factory workers get four weeks holiday and European wages.

MM: HOW CAN YOU SUPPLY A MADE-TO-MEASURE SUIT FOR UNDER £500?

CR: It’s amazing we can offer this level of service at such a reasonable price. Our suits are less expensive and much better quality than those in many high street stores. The secret is in our business model. We keep costs down by harnessing the latest technology, which improves efficiencies in production, and by going direct to the client we avoid paying rent, plus we don’t have to man a shop seven days a week waiting for passing trade.

MM: WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE?

SB: Suit the City are looking to further expand their franchise network across the UK. We are continuing our search for ambitious professionals who love clothes and people. I will be busy training and developing the skills of the franchise network, whilst Carol and I will be recruiting the next members of the team.

CR: I am looking forward to launching at least another six franchises in 2024. Key areas will be the City of Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We are hoping to recruit a total of 50 franchises by the end of 2017. So if you are considering a career change in 2024, we would be happy to talk to you.

A Suitable Future?

The secret of Suit the City’s success is the company’s unique business model, which enables you to set up a profitable and successful tailoring franchise. You do not need to be a tailor to be part of Suit the City’s growth in the UK, but you do need ambition and a good work ethic.

From their Buckinghamshire base, entrepreneurs Carol Rawson and Sallie Belton have built a successful business offering an exclusive personal tailoring service. They provide beautiful, affordable, made-to-measure suits and separates using the best fabrics available to Savile Row tailors - unusually the service is for both women and men.

Solution

Sallie Belton is the director in charge of all things technical and she highlights the rationale behind starting the business in 2007: “Suit the City was set up to provide the solution for anyone who is time poor but wants to look their best, giving them the image they want and putting the client back in control. Many clients arrive having simply given up on the high street or been disappointed with cheaper ‘bespoke’ suit services that didn’t deliver on their promises.”

Managing director Carol Rawson adds: “Downturn, what downturn? Suit the City has found the formula that works for both clients and franchisees, with exemplary service and low overheads. You too can build a profitable business without the enormous risks associated with starting your own retail business.”

Investing in a franchise from Suit the City is a low cost, low risk business opportunity offering the potential for excellent financial rewards. The initial three-month training programme is comprehensive and covers all you need to know to measure and advise your clients. Once you understand how to measure, the role is predominantly one of marketing your business and offering excellent customer service. Recommendations and referrals will allow you to grow your business and your income in line with your expectations.

Big plans

Suit the City has recruited its first two franchisees and has big plans for at least 50 franchises across the UK. Nicola Manze is in Oxfordshire and Tracey Holloway covers Bristol and Bath.

“I am delighted to be the owner of a Suit the City franchise,” says Tracey. “I had been looking for an opportunity to work for myself for some time, but was seeking something different; a business model which allowed me to use my creativity alongside my business experience.”

Suit the City proved to be the answer. The passion that Carol and Sallie have for this business model and its products is not only infectious, but highly motivating. The training and support has been wonderful, with a real team spirit. If you are interested in being part of something different, I would urge you to find out more.

Nicola says: “At this stage of my life, I wanted a change from the daily grind of working for someone else. Becoming a Suit the City franchisee has given me a great opportunity to be my own boss, but with the fantastic training and ongoing support of the Suit the City team I do not feel like I am going it alone. The products are beautiful and the fact you get to help people look and feel their best is such a bonus. Job satisfaction definitely comes as standard.”

Suit the City provide high quality made to measure suits and separates for men and women. Now is the time to join Suit the City at the start of a very exciting expansion programme across the U.K. We use Savile Row fabrics combined with the latest pattern cutting and manufacturing technology to supply clients with the best in made to measure. Everything is trainable, you do not need to know how to sew!

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