Our history

Couch and Hoskin are both names with West Country origins but were first seen together as a company in the London Telephone Directory 1907, Mansion House 3831, with a Lime Street address. However, the identity of these original partners remains a mystery. The next reference to Couch and Hoskin is in 1910, then based at 15 Cullum Street. The following years appear to have been uneventful until Mr Tugwell, the cutter partner of Mr Chant left the company due to the pressures of the London Blitz during the Second World War.

Mr Chant, not being a Master Tailor himself, took on another partner who was both cutter and tailor, Mr Frank Becker, whose period of directorship lasted until 1962. By this time his original co-director, Mr Chant had retired and his son Kenneth had become Mr Becker's partner. In 1962 Mr Becker finally retired to the Isle of Man, his wife knowing that if she could not put a distance between him and Couch and Hoskin he would never finish. His son Mr Martin Becker then took over Couch and Hoskin as co-director with Mr Chant (the younger). However neither were cutters, so a new partner, Mr Leonard Justice was appointed. He was a coat maker of long-standing, who knew the clients and was therefore ideal for the position. It became obvious that he needed an assistant to help him keep up with the increase in company trade resulting in the appointment of a young Mr Derek Hodges, whose arrival coincided with the largest slice of good luck this Company could wish for.

A group of young men left Harrow School to arrive in the City as insurance brokers, advertising men, and 'new blood' for the old, established banking world. They needed all the trappings their positions demanded, including good, stylish suits, at a price they could afford. Couch and Hoskin stepped forward to fulfil this need, and on their recommendation, all their friends, relations and colleagues beat a path to the door of this small but reliable tailoring Company in the City.

During the 1970's Couch and Hoskin continued to go from strength-to-strength. At this time a young Etonian left the Army to work for a renowned insurance broker in the City. He is from an old established family, his ancestor was our war-time Prime-Minister, and as he himself progressed to become an MP, he introduced many Lords of the Realm and Members of Parliament from both sides of the House to Couch and Hoskin. He is recognised as a great influence and much appreciated ambassador for Couch and Hoskin.

The 1970's also saw the appointment of Max Justice (son of Leonard) as a cutter to the team, and Mr John Jacob, a fully-trained Savile Row coat maker, who took over the duties of a retiring Mr Chant as well as making his own tailoring contribution. The increase in business volume, VAT and decimalisation meant more paperwork and an assistant to Mr Becker, Alan Worswick was appointed. As the Seventies drew to a close the lease on 15 Cullum Street expired and in June 1981 the Company moved to new premises at 21 Eastcheap. This shop was more spacious and modern, although there were some that missed the 'Dickensian' feel of the Cullum Street premises!

The Eighties ran its money-making course, and the original group of Harrovians spread throughout the City institutions but continued to frequent Couch and Hoskins for their wardrobe needs, including velvet smoking coats, shooting suits, morning suits, dinner suits and of course, business suits. In 1990 Mr Justice retired and his son, Max became a director and carried on the family tradition that is so enjoyed by the clientele of Couch and Hoskin. Also at this time, a third-generation tailor, West-End trained Mr Jonathan Becker joined the company. He learnt cutting, fitting and tailoring so that his eventual co-directorship with Max Justice would be more productive on the practical side.

Throughout the Nineties, Couch and Hoskin continued to expand, but by the end of this period the lease on 21 Eastcheap expired and a new premises was once again sought. This was easier said than done, with competition for available space coming from coffee-shop chains that were prepared to pay any amount of money to gain a foothold on Eastcheap, but eventually a retail outlet was acquired at 40 Eastcheap. It was an empty shell, but finally provided us with the opportunity to design premises that would be functional but at the same time show the company as prestigious bespoke tailors.

The move was completed in March 1998, marking the end of a design and logistics project that owed a great deal to everyone involved.

Mr Martin Becker retired in 1999, handing his directorship to his son Jonathan, and his position as Company Secretary and Accountant to his daughter Mrs Rosemary Billing, thus continuing the family tradition into a third generation. Massive changes in the insurance markets, working practices and the increase in IT lead to more-relaxed working patterns, which in turn reduced the need for smart clothing. Despite this and the pernicious rent increases combined with high council-tax ratings, Couch and Hoskin continues to flourish and has passed its Centenary year with a welcome return in the City of smart thinking and smart dressing.

2004 saw the introduction of the Couch and Hoskin Made-to-Measure Suits - a more affordable alternative to the Bespoke Range, offering similar individual touches, but assembled in a factory rather than by hand.

Throughout its existence, Couch and Hoskin has kept Savile Row standards of production at City prices, a difficult balancing act, which has been proven by the many attempts and failures of Savile Row houses to break into the City market. We would like to thank all our customers for their continued loyalty and support and we look forward to providing an outstanding service for many years to come.