From the bazaars of Kabul to Shrewsbury – the ancient craft of tailoring is alive and well
The ancient craft of tailoring is alive and well in Shrewsbury thanks to the expertise and enterprise of two men who learned their trade in their native Afghanistan.
Mortaza Walizadah and Martin Sarfraz both fled their strife-torn country over ten years ago and have now opened businesses in the Darwin and Pride Hill Shopping Centres.
Both have seen their families torn apart by the moves but both are now happy in the UK and looking to build their careers in Shrewsbury, a world away from their Afghan homeland.
Mortaza, now living in Birmingham, said that it was a family day-trip to Shrewsbury that persuaded him to expand his tailoring business and open a shop in the town’s Darwin Shopping Centre.
He said: “We are just building the business up and trying to get the word out that we are here in Shrewsbury. We concentrate on alterations and repairs and I’m happy to tackle any material, denim, cotton, silk, even leather.
Meanwhile, Martin, from Telford, has also launched a new tailoring business in the Pride Hill Centre.
“It doesn’t matter what people want, whether it’s clothes being lengthened or shortened, I can do it. And it doesn’t matter what material it is, I can work with most things and for either men or women.”Martin, who is married and has one child, added: “I can also make bespoke suits, jackets and dresses to order too. I particularly like making wax jackets.
“In fact I find as soon as I finish making any that I put on sale in the shop they sell very quickly. I really like Shrewsbury and think the shop will be a big success.
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “That’s what makes the Shrewsbury Shopping Centres special, the fact that we have independent; specialist stores here alongside the big name high street shops.“Mortaza and Martin are real craftsmen and it’s not often you find them any more but they can do anything from making bespoke suits to giving clothes a whole new lease of life with a clever alteration.”
-- Yoland Brown Brownhill House B&B, Ruyton XI Towns, nr. Shrewsbury SY4 1LR ShACC - Shropshire Alternative Car Club www.eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.com www.ShACC-uk.org Tel: 01939 261 121 Fax: 01939 260626
