The entrance to the Murray offices today, a sunset reflected in the glass

History of Murray

Murray started in 1918 with one tailor, his uncle's shop in Northampton and a set of fabric pattern books. More than a century later, we're proud owners of The Science of Uniform.

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1918
1918
A tailor's apprentice
Arthur Chattel comes home from the First World War and joins his uncle's tailoring shop. He spends seven years learning every part of the trade.
1925
1925
Pattern books on the road
Arthur sets up on his own. He visits country houses and estates with his fabric pattern books, measures each client, and comes back weeks later to fit the finished clothes.
1965
1965
The next generation
Mark Bass's grandfather leaves a senior management career to work alongside Arthur, building a network of mills and factories.
1975
1975
Murray opens
Murray opens a shop on Murray Road as a uniform supplier to a growing security sector. Corporate workwear, NHS uniform, club wear and school uniform follow.
1978
1978
A bigger shop
The business moves to Spon End. Andy Bass joins straight from school the following year and earns his tailoring certificate in 1980.
1986
1986
Making it ourselves
Through the 1980s Murray makes its own-label garments to exact designs and specifications, then moves manufacturing offshore in the 1990s.
2005
2005
Room to grow
A larger home for a business now known for fibres, yarns, colourfastness and fit, not just how a garment looks.
Today
Today
The Science of Uniform
More than a century of textile heritage combines with 50 years of the Murray brand. We're proud of our mission to enable people to Work Smarter.