Master Debonair to expand UK store portfolio

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Nov 11, 2019

Menswear specialist Master Debonair is planning to open up to six more stores across the UK after closing its London site in September.

The British suit brand currently operates two stores and a private showroom.

The store estate will grow with the opening of a new location in Chesterfield, Derbyshire next week, after the brand joined forces with a local retailer in the town.

It follows founders Simon and Eve Whitaker’s decision not to renew their trial lease for the London flagship store. Located on Commercial Street in East London, the store benefited from the hustle and bustle of the neighbouring Old Spitalfields Market, but clearly not enough to justify continuing there.

The founders said the store would close to allow them to focus on further developing the brand across the UK.

Speaking to Business Live, Eve Whitaker said: “The London store was only a 10-month lease and we used this to test the market outside of the North East.

“We now have two stores and a separate private showroom and our plan is to open between three to six more in the next six months. We are already searching for new locations for 2020 across the country.”

Additionally, the main flagship store in East Boldon is to be transformed into a ‘man-cave’ complete with a bar and food service. A neighbouring retail unit has been acquired to allow the expansion, which will see the store reopen as a three-floor menswear destination.