James 'The Tailor' Pendlebury, maker of suits for the stars, sadly passed away suddenly on Tuesday 11th August after a lifetime working in the garment industry and nurturing his large family.
Born in 1943 on Frederick Road, James opened his first shop on Corporation Street in Manchester in 1973, after working in Tom Wits, Burtons and John Colliers on Regent Road. In 1989 the shop moved to Hanging Ditch on the front of the Corn Exchange building; moving again after the IRA bomb to James Binney House, 52 Cross Street, where the firm - James Personal Tailor & Son - has been located ever since.
During this time, James helped tailor lots of star musicians, actors and footballers, ranging from Peter Kay to Ted Robbins, Mike Summerbee, to Manchester United teams, while famously rescuing Lionel Ritchie's split trousers just before he went on stage in Manchester.
"Dad was never star struck and part of his charm was that everyone who walked through the door was treated the same" says James' son Michael, who carries on the family business "The one exception was George Best who was one of his heroes. I think making George's last suit was the highlight of his career."
James was a proud Salfordian, a regular reader of the Salford Star and a real character around the pubs and clubs of Manchester and Salford, including the Dog and Partridge on the 'Height, the Flat Iron, the British Legion on Langworthy Road ...and, in the Sixties, The Fusiliers on Cross Lane.
James, who lived in Worsley, leaves five children - Michael, Lisa, Ian, Phillip and Tracey - nine grandchildren and wife, Elaine, who he married in 1973.
James `The Tailor' Pendlebury will be missed by many friends, family and customers. A local lad and a very proud Salfordian.