Brothers Expand Empire in Style

TWO brothers have launched the latest phase in the expansion of their business empire by opening a contemporary fashion outlet in Yarm.

James and Phillip Robson are looking to emulate the success of an extremely popular Darlington wine bar they opened in August 2005 which has added to the tapestry of high-class eateries and watering holes in the town's Coniscliffe Road area.

Both the bar and the fashion outlet are branded under the brothers' trading name - Hash.

Hash Clothing promises the same fresh, quirkiness that has given Hash bar such a strong following, particularly among young professionals.

"We are stocking fashion with an unpredictable twist; top end gear but not at top end prices. We're aiming for the same market the bar attracts," said James Robson. "The bar is the kind of place we like to drink in and the new store sells the kind of clothes we wear."

The brothers used local expertise to help get their venture off the ground with accountants and business advisers Clive Owen & Co LLP setting the company up and Austin Sanders solicitors providing the legal advice.

Neville Baldry, partner at Clive Owen & Co LLP, said: "Yarm has built an impressive reputation for fashion clothing stores and Hash Clothing will build on that reputation in the same way that Hash bar has added to the Coniscliffe Road offering. We feel Hash has found its own niche in a town with a varied fashion offering and we're certain it will be a tremendous success."

Solicitor Chris Sanders of Austin Sanders Law Firm in Darlington I said that . " Hash bar has rapidly established a stylish reputation . Many of the sporting client's we represent will no doubt be attracted to Hash Clothing's sporty casualwear l so we're delighted to be involved in the continued expansion of the Hash brand."

James Robson hopes to build on his extensive experience in the retail sector.

He said: "Opening the bar was actually a greater risk for us than opening a shop because I spent 15 years in retail, working up from the shop floor through buying, into management."

The shop stocks brands such as Levi's Premium, Fjall Raven and J.Lindeberg as well as more unusual names throughout its 2,000-square-foot outlet.

Once trade is established at Hash Clothing, the brothers will be able to give greater focus to the next line of Hash-branded retail.

"The bar is big on hip hop and chill out music and we want to bring that to the shop as well as selling graphic novels and artwork by local artists" said James.

Left to right: James Robson and Phil Robson of Hash, Chris Sanders of Austin Sanders and Neville Baldry, Partner at Clive Owen & Co LLP.

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