Royal hat maker to open Bayswater store

The company's workshop is currently based in East Dulwich but now Patey Hats is planning to open its first shop in Connaught Street at the end of September.

The hat maker still uses the same millinery techniques as it did when it started in 1799.

Clients include Tom Cruise, who had hats specially-made for his role in the Second World War film Valkyrie, the cast of James Bond films and London 2012 Olympic horse riding hopeful Zara Phillips.

Former Spice Girl Melanie C wore a Patey Hats design when she appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2007, and hats are regularly made by the company for the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Every year, the company also pays for the Lord Mayor of the City of London's famous tri corn hat to be produced.

Nick Anstee, the current Lord Mayor of the City of London, is picture here waving a hat produced by Patey Hats, during his annual show in 2009.

"We've moved around a bit over the years, but we've chosen Connaught Village in Bayswater because the area suited what we wanted extremely well," said managing director Trevor Campan.

"We have a workshop which people come to at the moment, but this is our first venture as a stand-alone shop.

"We're not a normal high street business, so we feel the ambience and atmosphere of the quarter suits our status as a luxury goods brand perfectly.

"On average, we make around 5,000 hats a year.

"In the new shop, we'll offer stock of some hats but if people want them to be made, it could take up to around four weeks."

Patey Hats will begin trading in the third week of September, with an official opening planned for October 2.

A riding hat costs around £500, while a top hat could cost anything between £600 and £2,500.

When asked if he was expecting any interest from former prime minister Tony Blair, who has a house in the area, Mr Campan added: "He would be very welcome to pop in for a hat".

For more information, see www.connaught-village.co.uk.