Dekang Gao and John Hanson at the Speedmaster Conference Centre
A historic Bradford clothing retailer has teamed up with a Chinese giant in a venture that will expand the business across Europe.
In a move that could create up to 500 jobs, Greengates-based Hanson Partners, owners of the Greenwood Mens-wear group, has formed a partnership with Bosideng, which is one of China's largest clothing producers and retailers.
The deal will see Bosideng, a household name in China, investing £5m to open 100 stores in the UK and Europe over the next five years.
The first two Bosideng stores opened earlier this month in Bury St Edmunds and Lincoln. The partnership aims to open 20 further stores in the UK next year and each year after that.
The stores were visited by Dekang Gao, chairman of Bosideng and seven other executives, who then came to Greenwood's Bradford HQ to mark the partnership deal.
John Hanson, chairman of Greenwoods and Hanson Partners, said: "We have been working with the Gao family for the past six years and are delighted with the partnership so far.
"We are looking forward to maintaining this excellent, growing relationship with Bosideng and our own family-run company and are very excited with the venture and opportunity to open another 100 shops over the next five years."
Mr Gao said: "We are delighted to have created the unique partnership with Greenwoods and have ambitious plans for the future."
Bosideng has one of the largest clothing production centres in mainland China, with around 19,000 staff. The company's turnover last year was around £2.2 billion.
Greenwoods Menswear was established in 1860 and now has more than 90 stores in the UK.
The Chinese visitors marked the venture by opening Hanson's new Speedmaster Conference Centre at Albion Mills, Greengates, which was launched earlier this year by motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss.
They have also visited the Houses of Parliament and had a meeting at the Chinese Embassy in London during their trip to the UK.
