Dragon Suleyman picks ‘perfect time’ for King Street launch

DRAGONS’ Den star Touker Suleyman reckons his Hawes & Curtis clothing store on King Street in Manchester has launched at the perfect time.

The shop opened recently following £200,000 of investment into the 1,600sq ft store on two levels, which Suleyman reckons will be a destination attraction of fashion conscious men.

It is the 29th Hawes & Curtis store and is the second one in Manchester, with the other at the Trafford Centre already established.

Suleyman has transformed the 100-year-old company from a specialist shirt supplier to what he describes as a “lifestyle brand”. The new store also has the largest womenswear collections across the its stores.

“We’re pitching it somewhere between Ralph Lauren and Hackett,” he said. “We’ve got some amazing, quality gear, perfect for the Manchester scene.

“I believe it is the perfect time to launch in King Street, which has had its ups and downs recently.”

Suleyman is unfazed by the move towards ensuring retailers achieve the Living Wage, and does not believe it will adversely affect his business.

“We are already paying the Living Wage rate (£7.90 per hour) already,” he said. “I believe that everyone should have a fair wage, but it is tough in retail.

“It’s so bad for us because we’ve only got 29 branches. There needs to be a momentum across the country towards the Living Wage, because there needs to be a level playing field.

“If the big supermarkets took the lead it would be great, but there seems to be some reluctance on their part at the moment to do that.”

The Hawes & Curtis store is employing 18 full-time and 11 part-time staff and there will be an official opening ceremony on Wednesday November 4.