Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Gieves & Hawkes Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Meredith, Melchisedek
  • Galt, John
  • Galt & Gieve
  • Gieve & Co
  • Seagrove
  • Gieve Matthews & Seagrove
  • London & Yorkshire Trust
  • Hawkes & Co Ltd
  • USI Holdings Ltd

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • London, Greater London, Greater London, Greater London, England
  • Portsmouth, City of Portsmouth, Hampshire, South East, England

Sectors:

  • Wearing apparel & footwear production Bespoke tailoring & dressmaking
  • Distribution - retailing Wearing apparel, footwear, haberdashery, mercery, etc, retailing

Notes:

Traced origins to Melchisedek Meredith who established a naval tailor's business at Portsmouth in 1785. Acquired by John Galt, tailor, in 1841 and became Galt & Gieve in 1852, and Gieve & Co in 1887. London branch opened 1903. Merged with Seagrove of Portsmouth in 1909 to become Gieve Matthews & Seagrove. 1911 royal warrant holders. 1920s opened branches at Malta, Gibraltar and elsewhere in UK. Also started school and civilian outfitting and selling ready made clothes. From early 1970s associated with London & Yorkshire Trust as financial advisors. 1974 acquired Hawkes & Co Ltd, men's outfitters, formerly tailors, established in 1771, to become Gieves & Hawkes Ltd. 2002 acquired by USI Holdings Ltd, Hong Kong. Continues

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