Hail Mary

No-nonsense wardrobe mistress Mary Portas will be in Manchester on 18 December in Exchange Square publicising the new season of BBC2’s Mary, Queen of Shops.

It’s men’s shop H.T Burts in Chorlton that will be on the receiving end of a makeover.

The business was first started by Harry Trevethan Burt as a “Hatters & Hosiers” in 1895 and now his great grandson Adrian is the fourth generation to run the menswear retailer. Over the years the H.T Burt firm expanded into a small chain of successful menswear shops catering for the discerning gent of Manchester. The business came unstuck in the early nineties when they lost touch with men’s fashion and sales sunk to their lowest ever. Now there is a flagship store at Wilbraham Road in Chorlton and a small shop in Poynton.

With Mary’s help the shop is transformed from 80s time warp to a style reference point for 30-40 year olds featuring brands such as Hackett, Hugo Boss, Aquascutum, Loake, John Smedley, Crew and Lacoste.

The event will take place in Exchange Square in the city centre on 18 December between 5-8pm to publicise the shop relaunch and there will be a big party full of surprises