Mission Statement
Upholding Craftsmanship, Supporting Community
The Bespoke Tailors’ Benevolent Association ( THE BTBA) is dedicated to supporting individuals across the bespoke tailoring industry who have helped shape the proud heritage of British tailoring.
Our mission is to provide practical and financial assistance to those in need—ensuring the dignity, wellbeing, and legacy of craftsmanship are preserved for current and future generations.
Our History
Founding and Early Years
The Tailors’ Benevolent Institute was established on 10 February 1837 by John Stultz, a prominent West End tailor, who served as its first president. The institution was formed to provide relief for aged and infirm journeyman tailors and their spouses. In 1842, the Institute purchased land at the south end of Queens Crescent, near Haverstock Hill in north London, where it constructed the Tailors’ Asylum. This facility comprised ten almshouses and a central chapel, all designed in the neo-Gothic style by architect T. Meyer. The chapel was consecrated by Charles James Blomfield, Bishop of London, in 1843 .
Royal Charter and Expansion
In 1859, the Institute was granted a royal charter, formalising its status and operations. Over the years, the Institute expanded its services, providing financial assistance and housing support to members of the tailoring community facing hardship. By the early 20th century, the Institute had become a cornerstone of support for retired and infirm tailors.
Relocation and Modernisation
In 1937, the original site at Haverstock Hill was sold to the London County Council, which developed council flats on the land. The Institute relocated to a new building in South Croydon, and later moved to Wandsworth in 1952. The Wandsworth site was eventually rebuilt and renamed Tailors’ Court by the Shaftesbury Housing Association, continuing to serve the tailoring trade .
Merger and Formation of THE BTBA
In 2012, the Tailors’ Benevolent Institute merged with the Master Tailors’ Benevolent Association, founded in 1887, to form The Bespoke Tailors’ Benevolent Association (THE BTBA). This merger combined the resources and missions of both organisations to better serve the tailoring community. THE BTBA continues to provide grants and support to individuals who have worked in British tailoring for ten years or more.
Current Operations
As of 2022, The BTBA is managed by ten trustees and supported by volunteers. The charity remains dedicated to its mission of assisting bespoke tailors who are no longer able to work due to blindness, illness, or old age, as well as their spouses. The BTBA also continues to engage with the broader tailoring community through events, fundraisers, and other activities.