Our Story

James Personal Tailor & Son – Tailoring History

Way back in 1973 James Pendlebury opened up his very first independent shop in Little Lever in Bolton. After many a happy year making bespoke suits for his customers and with the help of his wife Elaine, James decided in 1976 it was time to move in Manchester City Centre.

His first premises was on Corporation Street opposite the Co-Operation Bank. James’s was here from 1976 until 1989 when it was time to move over to new larger premises.

James’s 2nd shop in Manchester City Centre was on the front of the old Corn Exchange building currently known as the Triangle now. It was a wonderful ‘quirky’ shop with a mezzine floor and a lovely cast iron spiral staircase.

Trading was going well up until 1996 when the Manchester bomb struck and destroyed the shop.

Fortunately some machines and Antiques were salvaged from the shop and moved over to James Binney House on Cross Street. This is James’s 3rd shop in Manchester, from 1996 till the current day this is home to James Personal Tailor & Son.

Its a lovely Victorian building and one of the few independently owned buildings in Manchester City Centre by the Binney family.

We are situated two floors up in this stunning grade 2 listed building, with its quirky features and tiled staircase, in its self is worth a visit to see the superb architecture from the 1900’s.

The consultation room.

James has been a face around Manchester city centre and was known to be seen around town back in the 1980’s in his lovely vintage delivery van.

Below is a short documentary style video on James Personal Tailor & Son

During the early years of the business, James father worked with him in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. His back ground was in the navy after serving his time during world war 2.

A smartly dressed gent, sporting many a hand made suit, he helped James with day to day running of the shop.

Please click the below links for James tailoring story in more detail.

George Best famous champagne picture

Please click the below links for Michael tailoring story in more detail.

https://tailorsinmanchester.co.uk/bespoke-suit-company-profile/michael-pendlebury/
Michael with Cristiano Ronaldo on bespoke suit fitting at his home.