RICHARD Town started out as a Saturday boy at his family’s business and now runs the independent men’s retailer, which started in Bradford, moved to Saltaire and is now in Ilkley.

Richard, owner of Raymond Town Menswear - Telegraph & Argus Trader of the Week - tells us more about the business:

Raymond Town Menswear is an exclusive menswear boutique named after my grandfather, Raymond Town. It’s in the heart of Ilkley, behind Bettys. We’ve been in Ilkley since 2020, however we’ve been specialising in high quality designer menswear for over 60 years.

The shop offers a personal touch The shop offers a personal touch (Image: Richard Town)

We sell prestige clothing that is not found on the high street, with a range of designer brands from Europe. Eighty per cent of our clothing, footwear and accessories is from Germany, which has a reputation for premium quality and outstanding attention to detail.

I’m really proud of Raymond Town Menswear’s history and that I’m the third generation in the business. My grandfather, Raymond, worked at Listers Mill in Manningham, once the largest silk factory in the world, where he became a credit trader, together with my father John.

In 1961, my father opened the retail arm, Raymond Town Menswear, based on the iconic Manchester Road, known for its eclectic range of shops and pubs and its vibrant, diverse community.

The shop when it was on Manchester Road. Picture: Richard Town

 

In 1992, after 30 years, they moved the business to Gordon Terrace in Saltaire. Originally designed by Saltaire’s architect as housing, the properties on the Terrace were converted into shops many decades ago.

It was a great place to work; a thriving hub of boutiques and independent businesses with a buzzing atmosphere. I started working as a Saturday boy in the store from the age of 13 and officially joined the family business in 1988, working with my father until his death in 2014.

I was born and raised in Heaton and moved to Ilkley in 2019. I was impressed with Ilkley’s vibrant business community and diverse range of independents - it has the same vibe as Gordon Terrace - and I knew that I wanted to open Raymond Town Menswear there. After the Saltaire building was sold at the end of 2019, I took on the Ilkley premises at the former location of Pinoso Womenswear on the rear of The Grove on January 1, 2020. I spent three months renovating and expanding the business and proudly opened the doors on March 14, 2020.

Richard is the third generation to run the family business, which is named after his grandfather Richard is the third generation to run the family business, which is named after his grandfather (Image: Richard Town)

I’d only traded for six days when I had to shut, due to the lockdown. Then, like other businesses, we re-opened and closed for the second and then third lockdowns, which was hard. I wasn’t set up for online sales and I just had to wait it out. We finally reopened in April, 2021.

With both my father and grandfather specialising in men’s retail and with almost a lifetime of my own retail experience, I consider myself knowledgeable about menswear and pride myself on the store’s customer service. We have a very loyal customer base and my clients trust my judgement. I know what would look good on them and I’d never sell them anything that wasn’t right. Personal service is key to me. I really enjoy trading in Ilkley. There’s such a thriving independent sector.

After all these years, I still love what I do and business is good. I get people coming to Ilkley who knew me in Saltaire and Bradford and we regularly get shoppers from Lancashire and Scotland. I’m looking forward to many more successful years.

* Raymond Town Menswear, rear of 30 The Grove, Ilkley.