Alfa Menswear in Westover Road taken over by father and son duo

John and Jeremy Lawson are now at the helm of Alfa Menswear in Westover Road, after Ray Emmett retired when the previous lease expired on August 31.

Both John and Jeremy grew up in Poole and Christchurch, and hope to breathe a new lease of life into the shop on the ‘Bond Street of Bournemouth’.

John brings years of experience in the menswear industry to the store, a career that began in Commercial Road in Bournemouth working for Reynolds and Son, selling men's fashionware.

By the mid-70s, John worked for Tony Taylor in the Gemini Boutique in Boscombe.

His career spans the decades since, managing prestigious menswear shops in Bournemouth, Southampton and Exeter.

He has also owned Mode One and The Bournemouth Suit Co.

John said: “I’m very much looking forward to working with my son and the staff at Alfa, using my industry experience to continue to supply classic, sophisticated menswear in Bournemouth.”

Jeremy began his career working alongside his father in his shop in his teenage years.

Jeremy said: “My first job was working alongside my dad in his menswear shop when I was 12, and now here we are working together again.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him and all he’s achieved and I’m confident this next chapter will be an exciting one for us and our new Alfa family.”

The duo are pleased to say that all three members of staff at Alfa Menswear, Di, Charlie and Alena, will be kept on as they look forward to the next chapter of the business.

Jeremy added: “It’s been great welcoming back our loyal customers and greeting some new faces.”

Previous owner Ray owned the business for 35 years, beginning as a joint partnership.

The 76-year-old said he would miss his customers and his staff the most in retirement, but that he would get the chance to do ‘all the things I have been putting off over the past few years’.