Branded print and embroidery – MacNeely family's new business
A CASTLEBAR tailoring business, going back three generations, has been given a new lease of life, writes Tom Gillespie.
The MacNeelys of Linenhall Street were synonymous with the ‘rag trade’ in the county town and one of the family gained prominence as a tailor in Savile Row in London, where he fitted out BBC newsreaders and the cast of Dr. Who. However, the recession dealt a cruel blow and master tailor Webster MacNeely was forced to wind up the family business.
Now, 10 years on, Webster and his sons Danny and Jake have just launched Branded, a printing and embroidery business, based at Unit 12, N5 Business Park, Moneen, Castlebar.
Danny told me: “The concept for the business was a family thing. We all came together. We were in business years ago and we decided why not get back into it.
“I have been involved in the trade since I left school. This is all I have been doing. It has always being something to do with print and embroidery.
“At Branded we have a six-head embroidery machine. It can do six pieces at the one time. The turnaround is very quick.
“If someone comes into us with 12 fleeces to do, we can have then done within the hour. What we have is the top of the line machine at the moment.
“We do workwear, t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, anything you want. It is a one-stop shop here.”
Webster added: “If as a business you come into us we will show you a great choice of great uniforms and we will give you a brand.
“Tailoring has always been a family business. We lost it in the rough old times but now we are back in business.
“We hope to attract a nationwide clientele. When we had the business before we were incredibly lucky. From the word go we got great clients like Trinity College and Boston Scientific. We were big and that was fantastic.”
Webster continued: “We are a small version of Portwest (Westport). We will supply whatever the client wants. People need what we do. If you are a business, it is great for a business owner to walk in, talk to somebody, and get advice on clothing.”
Reflecting on the old and new business, Webster admitted: “It was a hard decision to go back into business again. It was very hard losing the family business 10 years ago. It took me a very long time to recover for it.
“It was the hardest thing I have ever gone through. It was hard to think I have lost the family business. Even to say that isn’t nice.
“However, now we are fighting back and the lads are bringing me with them.”
Danny continued: “We are hoping to repeat the success of the past. We are aiming big. That fact that we can produce the products in-house at such a rapid rate is one of our big sellers.”
Branded are located at Unit 12, N5 Business Park, Moneen, Castlebar. Their business hours are 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and they can be contacted on (094) 9021614 and on Facebook @brandedcastlebar.
Do you have a story to tell about your business? If so, contact Tom Gillespie at (087) 9680780 or gillespietom49@gmail.com.