Having moved from Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding in April 2026, Norton & Townsend has settled into its new home on Little Lane in Ilkley, where it specialises in beautifully made, perfectly fitting bespoke suits and offers a level of service that makes you feel looked after from the moment you step through the door.
Victoria Thompson, Managing Director, took over the business six years ago.
“Norton & Townsend isn’t just a business – it’s my passion,” she says. “I’ve spent 20 years in the industry and I love helping people discover their personal style and the perfect fit. And I’m a total fabric geek!”
Victoria’s own journey is fascinating. After studying fashion design in Manchester, she lived in Egypt for nine years, managing her family’s textile factories and supplying everything from UK and European big-name high street stores to Target in the US. A two-year stint in China followed before she returned to England and eventually bought Norton & Townsend when she was working as a merchandiser at Ilkley’s Buxton Pickles – just ten days before the Covid lockdown.
“It was scary,” she recalls. “We couldn’t meet clients in person, so we couldn’t take measurements and we were closed for the whole lockdown period. But when weddings started happening again, everything changed. People were having their ceremonies back-to-back and suddenly we were busy again. This continued for a further two years.”
Now, as office life resumes, the demand and desire for smart tailored clothing is back. Norton & Townsend works with clients across the UK, either in their boutique showrooms in Ilkley and Spitalfields, London or through their travelling tailor service, bringing fittings directly to homes or offices. With over 5,000 fabrics and linings and hundreds of styling options, there is almost nothing they cannot create.
They work directly with a number of renowned mills, including Abraham Moon in Guiseley, Marton Mills in Pool-in-Wharfedale, Holland & Sherry in London and Dugdale Bros in Huddersfield, among others.
But it is the people who really make Norton & Townsend stand out.
“The biggest difference between us and other tailoring companies is our people,” Victoria explains. “Everyone matters – people who measure clients, cut patterns, sew, press, deliver and even make the coffee. Every single one of them is passionate about what they do and it shows.”
Graham Hall is their London-based tailor, working from the Spitalfields showroom. He has been tailoring for over 35 years, trained with renowned tailor Carl Stuart in Ossett, and is known for his artistic eye.
“I was meant to be a tailor; it feels like thread runs in my veins,” he says. “There is no better reward than seeing a beautifully fitted suit.”
Richard Jupp travels for the business, bringing Norton & Townsend’s expertise directly to clients. He prides himself on creating individual and stylish suits that fit perfectly.
“I talk clients through fabrics and design options, discuss when, where and how often they will wear the finished piece and, perhaps most importantly, find out a little more about what makes them tick. Utterly individual – that is the mark of bespoke tailoring.”
Every step of the tailoring process is meticulous, from the initial consultation and dozens of measurements to cutting, sewing, fittings and the final finish. It is all designed to create clothing that fits perfectly, looks incredible and gives clients a real confidence boost.
Victoria’s latest venture is expanding into women’s tailoring.
“It is not about putting a woman in a man’s suit,” she says. “It has to be something special and not as corporate. We are creating patterns, fabrics and styles that celebrate women’s bodies. It has been exciting to develop this side of the business and to bring women’s bespoke tailoring to the north of England.”
Alongside bespoke pieces, Norton & Townsend offers ready-to-wear items such as jumpers, hats and trench coats. For truly personal touches, clients can choose designer linings and even include quotes inside.
“A beautifully cut suit is like a suit of armour,” says Victoria. “I want everyone who wears one of our suits to feel amazing.”
The Ilkley boutique showroom reflects the team’s welcoming approach. Victoria encourages clients to come in, have a coffee and chat through the process – no pressure, no fuss.
“I love Ilkley,” she says. “The people, the energy, the independent businesses. Everyone wants to support each other and we are very happy to be part of that.”
With expert craftsmanship and a genuine love for what they do, Norton & Townsend is redefining tailoring in Yorkshire for men and women.
Norton & Townsend is located close to Ilkley Cinema and Arcade Kitchens. Walk-ins are welcome.
5A Little Lane, Ilkley, LS29 8EA
