POPULAR men's tailor Gieves & Hawkes is looking to be brought out of administration in the New Year, a store spokesperson at the Winchester branch has said.

Owned by Hong Kong conglomerate Trinity Ltd, the bespoke tailor, who has stores in London's Savile Row, Winchester, Bath, Birmingham and Chester went into administration "about a year ago", but there are high hopes the company is soon to be bought out of administration in the New Year.

A spokesperson for Gieves & Hawkes said today: "We've been in administration for about a year now. We're up for sale and looking to be brought out in the New Year. There's been quite a lot of interest in us."

As uncertainty has loomed for the Winchester branch, their tailor, Sew Fit, based in Winchester's Parchment Street, has stopped their services with the shop, with clients going to them direct.

A spokesperson for Sew Fit, who wished not to be named, said: "Customers are now coming directly here. Most of the time customers prefer to come directly here because they can explain what they want and I'll get it done how they want. Somehow it gets more complicated. They [the customer] take the job there [Gieves & Hawkes] and bring it here to get it finished but it's best to bring it directly here.

Speaking about the impact Gieves & Hawkes' administration has had on Sew Fit, the spokesperson said: "It has impacted us a little bit but not that much. Normally they ask the customer if they prefer to come here or not. It's up to them."

Founded in 1771, Gieves & Hawkes is one of the oldest bespoke tailoring companies in the world, holding Royal Warrants and providing ready-to-wear as well as bespoke and military tailoring.