12 | Tees Business
BACK WHERE
HE BELONGS
Robin Bell has returned to his
roots as manager of the Bakers
Tailoring store in Middlesbrough
T
eessider Robin Bell has rekindled
his passion for fashion by returning
to booming Middlesbrough men’s
tailoring outfit Bakers.
The 37-year-old, from Eaglescliffe, worked
with Bakers Tailoring managing director Paul
Smith from the age of 18, and he joined Paul
to relaunch the brand in 2004.
But after leaving the fashion industry 10
years ago, to work in the furniture trade, he
has now jumped at the opportunity to head
up the thriving independent retailer.
In the two years since moving two doors
along and doubling their space at their new
home at 166 Linthorpe Road, Bakers has
since recruited six new staff to meet a fast-
increasing demand that has seen them treble
their turnover.
New store manager Robin told Tees
Business: “I first met Paul when I was 18,
we both used to work at Psyche together 19
years ago.
“We both left to re-open Bakers in 2004,
but I left and went into the furniture trade
just because at the time I felt like I needed a
new direction.
A passion for fashion – Robin
Bell has returned to Bakers
Tailoring in Middlesbrough.
“Paul has kept the Bakers name alive and
I’ve always stayed in touch with him. The
business has grown and grown, to a level
now where he’s had to get more staff on
board.
“I saw this as a great opportunity to come
back to not only the trade, but to work with
Paul again.”
Working for a well-known national furniture
store didn’t quite scratch the itch for Robin,
who has always had a passion for tailoring
and fitted clothing.
“This is what I enjoy doing,” he said. “I had
a good time in the furniture trade and met some
great people, but it’s a numbers game. You’re
driven by numbers and you’re paid accordingly,
but the product could have been anything.
“This is different. The drive is the same in
that we have to be successful and pay the bills,
but to sell a product that you love yourself, in
an environment that you enjoy, makes a big
difference.
“The intention now is to grow the business
more and keep building on our reputation,
offering men’s tailoring at a mid-market price
point but with a top-end service.”