RETAIL tycoon Mike Ashley has reportedly joined the race to take over Savile Row tailor Gieves and Hawkes.

As first reported by Mark Kleinman for Sky News, Ashley's Frasers Group - previously known as Sports Direct International- is now the latest bidder to join the grab for the 250-year-old Savile Row brand.

It comes as Gieves and Hawkes'

Hong Kong-based owner Trinity collapsed into liquidation at the end of last year, with liquidators keen to attract prospective buyers.

Bloomberg reported last month that the sale will include Gieves and Hawkes' business in the UK, alongside its operations and licensing agreements in Greater China.

Gieves and Hawkes, headquartered at Number 1 Savile Row in London, had 58 stores in 25 cities as of last May.

Its roots are in the military tailoring tradition, and has counted every British monarch since George III among its customers, along with Sir Winston Churchill.

Some of its present-day high-profile clients include Prince William and David Beckham.

It comes as Frasers has snapped up a number of high street brands in recent months, including Jack Wills and Missguided.

(c) 2022 City A.M., source Newspaper