Knights Tailoring: A small business supporting the military on Project Allenby Connaught

Beginning in May 2014, Knights Tailoring has worked together with Aspire Defence Services Limited to deliver tailoring services under the Project Allenby/Connaught contract.

During the last eight years they have altered/mended over 100,000 uniforms and replaced over 500,000 buttons and badges. And following His Majesty King Charles III’s coronation next year, Knights is expected to replace the same number of buttons and badges over the next two years.

The effective collaboration and partnership with Aspire Defence Services Limited (ADSL) has seen the business through especially challenging periods, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

Despite many businesses being forced to close and furlough workers, Knights was able to keep operating and through Aspire Defence’s support, were able to continue to deliver essential services to both the Military and key workers.

Speaking previously on that experience and the company’s relationship with Aspire Defence, Jon Knight noted,

“I have had a lot of dealings with defence contractors since I left the Army and started Knights Tailoring. The working relationship with Aspire Defence and their employees is second to none; they are the most professional of all our contractors and the most approachable. The open lines of communication and regularly meetings across the pan garrison contract make it a smooth process and the efficient manner enables us to fulfil soldiers’ needs.”

Fulfilling soldiers’ needs is undoubtedly at the heart of what Knights does. Apart from having offices behind the wire at Warminster, Larkhill, Bulford and Aldershot that are open five days a week, they have also set up a shop on Tidworth High Street that opens till late at night and on Saturdays to accommodate the needs of serving soldiers as well as veterans. They also provide additional capacity to accommodate specific events such as Summer and Winter Balls and Remembrance Day.

This was further evident in the manner of service delivery that Knights Tailoring provided to support Operation Ballam; one of many Operations in support of Operation London Bridge, the funeral plan that was put in place for the event of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

Knights Tailoring’s support for the funeral was seamless. All work was completed within 48 hours of Op Ballam being announced and this could only be achieved with a well organised team that has been built up over the past few years.