Richard Dare - Mr James

Richard grew up in South Wales (Neath).  After spells in Plymouth and Cornwall he ended up living in Gloucester, after attending University in Cheltenham where he completed a business and marketing degree.  The degree was a 4 year course that included a year in industry that was spent with Majestic Wine.

Following university, there were five years working for Philip Greens’ Acadia Group (Top Shop, Top Man etc). The cut and thrust was enjoyable (?) but an option to join Averys Wine merchants in Bristol came up, which got him out of the retail world and back into wine.   An enjoyable 6/7 years were spent here where he excelled in selling fine wines and many lessons were learnt in respect of dealing with customers, passion/enthusiasm for the job, the ability to listen, and open/honest communication. Laithwaite’s then came in and purchased Averys’ from the Avery family and it changed the working environment.

So time the time came for something new.  Setting up his own wine business didn’t look like paying the bills and then an option came along to get involved with James of Montpellier.

James of Montpellier is an independent gentlemen’s clothing retailer. The time was right for Richard to get involved, drag the shop into the 21st century and make it one of the best bespoke men’s retailers in Cheltenham.

The  company has matured over the last couple of years (like a fine wine, some might say) their range of top quality garments has carefully evolved and developed and they offer a full made to measure service.  They are not only incredibly proud of the quality of clothing they offer but they also confidently state you won’t get a higher level of personal service from anyone else.

Sounds like a winning formula………good luck Richard.

Nick Bishop