Major projects

 
 

Bespoke Tailoring in London's West End

Bespoke Tailoring In London's West EndBespoke tailoring is the process by which a suit is cut and built for an individual person by a skilled tailor.  It has traditionally been a manufacturing enterprise with an element of retailing activity, and thus categorised as a form of light industrial land use.  Existing planning laws permit certain changes in land use, and this study has been undertaken in response to development pressures on bespoke tailoring premises, and concern that areas where tailors have traditionally operated are changing in character and function.

The study aims to understand the nature, activities and extent of contemporary bespoke tailoring in the West End – which for two centuries has been the international home of bespoke tailoring – with a view to ascertaining whether further policies and initiatives to protect and promote the sector are needed.

The city council intends to use the findings of it's research to further engage with the landowners, the tailoring industry and agencies such as the London Development Agency and the Central London Partnership to ensure the future of Savile Row as the international home of bespoke tailoring in central London.

Actions to be considered will include:

  • The creation of a Savile Row Strategic Group, led by the City Council, to bring together key players in the future of Savile Row.  This will include representatives of the landowners and bespoke tailoring companies on and around Savile Row.
  • Greater co-ordination and promotion of Savile Row as the destination and home of bespoke tailoring.
  • Support for skills and training initiatives.
  • Identify the medium term future floorspace needs of the tailoring industry on and around Savile Row and influence landowners to meet those needs.
  • Review existing planning policy and guidance as part of the transformation of the city council’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP) into the new Local Development Framework (LDF) for Westminster.

A copy of the study is available here to download


Printed copies are available but are charged at £25 a copy. Please call 020 7641 2513.

 

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about Bespoke Tailoring or the Savile Row area, please contact the Planning Information team by email:
Email: planninginformation@westminster.gov.uk

Telephone: 020 7641 2513

Alternatively you can;

Write to:
Helena Merriott
City Planning Group,
11th Floor City Hall,
64 Victoria Street,
London SW1E 6QP.