Carol has been perfecting the art of tailoring since she was just 15. Even earlier, at just seven, she remembers making a skirt, inspired by her grandmother’s sewing shop.
A former Highfield High School student in Blackpool, she began as an apprentice at Andrew Vass, the revered master tailors of Church Street. “It was such a privilege – we made men’s suits from start to finish, and stars like Tommy Cooper would come
in,” recalls Carol.
Under the guidance of her mentor, foreman Sid Radford, she spent a decade honing her skills before the workshop closed.
Carol’s career has been richly varied – from singing in a band and touring the circuit, to managing alterations for Johnsons Brothers cleaners across the Fylde Coast. Yet
tailoring has always remained at her core. In May 1994 she opened her own workshop in Garstang, and two years later expanded to Lytham St Annes after spotting an advert in the paper.
Originally trading as Carol’s Tailoring, five years ago she rebranded in honour of her late husband – Coles Bespoke Tailoring. “It’s a name that means a lot to me,” she says warmly.
Today, her welcoming workroom offers expert ladies’ and gents’ alterations – from sleeves and zips to resizing trousers and tailoring suits to fit perfectly. “You buy a suit that doesn’t quite fit, then we can make it fit,” she explains. Clients appreciate her eye for detail, calm manner, and quality workmanship.
As one put it: “Don’t ever retire – we don’t know what we’d do without you.”
Or, as Carol herself says with a smile: “There’s not a tear that I won’t repair.”
