Here I am with John Bade, Centre Director of the VQ, after the ink was dry on signing a lease on 24a Queen Victoria Street, literally just round the corner from my favourite shoe shop, Jefferey West.
Hands up, it's a bit of a fancy pants location, with neighbours such as Harvey Nichols, Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton, but as a wee laddie I loved coming here to spank the credit card, drink coffee and watch the pretty gals go by.
More than just a load of posh shops, it's a genuinely beautiful space with stunning frescos and mosaics from the 1900's, a glass ceiling and more marble than a Russian Oligarch could shake his silver-topped stick at, and now I'm a part of it.
It's been quite a journey. Five years ago, the business was born on the kitchen table, and many of my customers have followed me every step of the way, from a series of meeting rooms, serviced offices to even the gym and private dining room at the Malmaison Hotel in Leeds!
I must say I felt rather proud on showing my father round the new gaff and pointing out the family name in gold letters. :-)
Existing customers will be pleased to hear I don't have any plans to increase prices despite the flash address (and even flashier rent) and will continue to stick to my Yorkshire roots and offer outstanding value for money.
Saying that, I'm not standing still for a moment. I will shortly be launching a new Italian style made-to measure line, alongside my British bespoke offering, for customers who prefer a softer construction with a more rounded shoulder.
I'm also working with a new team of tailors to produce a level of construction that will be up there with the finest in the world. In fact that's not entirely true. I want to it to be the best. Aim high and see how far we fall, eh?
Right now, it's a building site with sparkies and shopfitters chucking invoices at me left, right and centre. I have a feeling it's going to be beans on toast for dinner a couple of nights a week but I have no doubt it's going to be worth it, creating a fantastic environment to spoil my customers and give them the hospitality they deserve.
So a new chapter begins. I couldn't have done it without the help, support and patience of Paul Fox, of commercial property agents Fox Lloyd Jones, and David Coleman, of solicitors Lee & Priestley.
Final thanks must go to John Bade and my architect and interior designer, the extremely talented Karen Gill, who recently left behind the security of the pay cheque to set up her own practice.
Team Michelsberg, I salute you. Bring on the opening party!
