Being tall and thin, Jake Allen has always had trouble finding off-the-peg suits to fit.
Adam King, on the other hand, wanted suits that were unique to him. The answer: bespoke suits. But they both found the cost prohibitive and, unable to find a cheaper solution, they decided to set up their own bespoke tailors.

That was four years ago. Now, 8,000 suits later, King and Allen are setting their sights high. Turnover for this year is expected to be between £1.4m and £1.6m, but next year they hope to double this.

The company was officially founded in 2003, based in a tiny backroom in Esher, Surrey. As the popularity of the product and service increased they broadened their ranges and expanded further afield.

They now have a 2,500sq ft tailoring centre in Surbiton and visit 13 locations across the UK. The products are aimed at young professionals, male and female, and grooms.

And they now claim to be the UK’s most popular bespoke tailor. Not surprising, when you consider they are selling suits for between £199 and £349, a considerable discount on usual bespoke prices.

Adam King explains that the company does not own a chain of high street shops, or an expensive site on Savile Row.

Instead, they hire function rooms and invite customers to attend appointments, reducing their overheads.

They also do not advertise, instead relying on word of mouth from satisfied customers. ‘We are also number one on Google, which of course is free,’ says King.

More significantly, they buy fabric in unprecedented quantities for a tailor, ensuring the very best prices.

And finally, the suits are made in the Far East where they can source the same quality suits for a fraction of the price of their competitors.

‘While we are a very efficient, modern company, your suit is nevertheless made by a man standing at a glass table with a piece of cloth and a big pair of scissors ­ just how tailoring has always been. These factors make us an extremely cost-efficient company and we pass these savings on to the customer,’ says King.

The business is not without its issues, however. ‘Managing the logistics is one of our greatest challenges,’ says King.

‘We promise a service which is relaxed, professional and one-to-one, yet we have hundreds of customers a month coming through our doors. We must ensure that our fitting days are well-staffed, on-time and that everything runs like clockwork.’
One of the ways they have tackled this challenge is to employ a suit librarian whose sole job is to look after the suits.

The next step for the business is to investigate franchise possibilities. ‘This year is crucial for King & Allen,’ says King. ‘This year Jake and I hope to replicate the business model independent of our direct supervision. If we are successful the sky is the limit ­ there could be a King & Allen store on every high street and a return to the bespoke tailoring culture of the 50s and 60s. If we are unable to replicate, then we have a great business which will hopefully continue to grow steadily, but is unlikely to change the world.’

King does not consider an online service as a viable option for the company, principally because the bespoke experience should be a personal service, though, if needs be, they can email measuring instructions to customers so that their tailors are still able to make a made-to-measure suit.

Financing would not appear to be a particular issue for the company. King and Allen started with an initial investment of £1,000 from each of the partners and they have never borrowed or used an overdraft facility. Last year, they spent £860,000 on property paid for through a mortgage.

‘We have recently opened a flagship store in Surbiton, 50 metres in front of our offices,’ says King. ‘It is the standard by which all the fitting days are set, and we hope that one day could serve as a model for potential franchisees to visit.’

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