Woodhouse luxury menswear retailer to close

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Mar 9, 2023

London-based premium menswear retailer Woodhouse Clothing is to close. The retailer’s final phase of its near 50-year existence was confirmed on its social media platforms and through its website.

A statement reads: "It's been an absolute blast, but now is the time for us to bow out. Thank you for all your support over near 50 years of delivering premium menswear to the Great British public. Stay stylish, folks.”

The closing down sale includes up to 80% discount on menswear brands including Polo Ralph Lauren, Diesel, Billionaire Boys Club, Fred Perry and Lyle & Scott.

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Woodhouse Clothing debuted on London's Oxford Street in 1975. In the subsequent menswear boom in the 1980s it was a pioneer in the upscale menswear sector in Britain with its mix of upscale tailoring and standout casualwear. Founder Philip Start expanded the brand to nine stores in London and Manchester.

Briefly owned by Philip Green in the late 1980s, Start repurchased the business in a joint venture with another menswear big name, fashion entrepreneur Harold Tillman.

In 2009, the business transferred to a unit owned by JD Sports Fashion, and again capitalised on a new lease of life for the menswear category with brands such as Stone Island, Boss and Armani Jeans.”

However, JD has recently gone through a major rationalisation programme, selling a raft of fashion labels to rival Frasers Group and closing others as it focuses on its core sports offer that makes up a much bigger part of its business.