Series 6 Already! who'd have though it...BL

Our new workshop. From the previous images of the "Cow Shed" you will see quite a bit of difference. As well as the main area seen here we have a secret room (to the right) offices, sewing, spray, wood room plus more. More images will be added once complete.

Salvage Hunters "Classic Cars" Channel: Quest Day: Wednesday Time: 9pm-10pm We are on; Wednesday 24th 9pm-10pm Drew and his team have a new series starting and as it was all about cars we could not refuse the request to take part. Filming was completed toward the end of 2017 and now its almost time for it to be aired. I've been advised at we will be on episode 2. (date and time above). Not going to say what we had to do and for what car but it was great to take part. No two renovations are the same and seeing pictures to getting your hands on the leather are two totally different things. For the very (very) short time we had, I've got to say it was a bit of a challenge. But worth the results...BL

**Announcement** Firstly, updates will soon start to be added. Quite a few so be ready! Alcantara. (affecting BMW owners) As most of you know Alcantara has been and will continue to be used throughout the automotive industry. It is a quality product which we have been using for years and normally would never go anywhere else. However, over the last year there have been rumours that Alcantara will be making changes to there business that may have had an impact on the supply of Alcantara to aftermarket distributers not only here in the UK, but Europe, UAE…effectively worldwide. It seams that they are concentrating more on the OE market and limiting the supply to aftermarket. Not just small companies such as us as we do not buy direct from Alcantara, but to the importers who, import thousands of meters a year so small companies like us can then purchase much smaller quantities. Ultimately to use within interiors. We can confirm that this WILL have a significant impact and as such we will NO LONGER be using Alcantara to match the Anthracite Alcantara that is found in the BMW, specifically the M spec cars. Alcantara’s 9002 has been known as the universal match (being very close) to the Anthracite Alcantara used in all M cars, but their replacement is nowhere near. There new “batch” was sent to the UK supplier and as normal sent out when requested. Last week we received some of this an instantly knew there was an issue. As a BMW enthusiast I know what the colour should be like, I also know how the material should look and its nothing like what we have received. As I would not be at all happy with putting this in our e46 M3 which was the intention, I will not offer it out to any customers as a “Match” for the anthracite Alcantara in their car, or if they wanted to upgrade a standard interior to match the Anthracite found in the M cars. Because this affects all importers, the original 9002 WILL run out, once this is gone there will be no more of it left on the planet. You may be fortunate to locate a supplier, trimmer who has some of the original left but once that’s gone the replacement Anthracite that Alcantara are putting out is different. Be aware that it may have the same 9002 code but it will be different. Putting the colour issue aside, we now look at the nap. The nap, pile, fibres are shorter and as such, the “brush” effect you may once have had is not as noticeable. In fact, its hardly there and what we would now describe as a flat cloth. The reduction of the length of the nap has an impact on how Alcantara can be renovated as there is less surface material to work with. The quality of the surface and how it holds up has also raised some questions but as its early days for this new material it is hard to say what impact this will have. Alcantara has stopped, or greatly reduced the quantities (so we are advised) all supplies to the aftermarket until 2019. After which they will reopen the channels for supply. Gauging how the suppliers have been treated we do not hold out much hope for normal service and quantities to resume. When the largest UK importer cannot get hold of anyone at Alcantara to sort issues out or place orders then we do not hold out for much hope. But there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Alcantara is a brand and a product, there is and only has been one Alcantara. The term is often used for a fluffy cloth that is similar, such as suede, faux suede. They are different. So, there will be a new term associated with a short pile cloth similar to Alcantara. It is just as good, and the colour range is larger. More importantly for the BMW M owners we are advised that there is a match for the now discontinued “original” 9002. The acquisition of this material by suppliers is almost complete, after which we will receive samples. More importantly the Anthracite sample. This will be scrutinised, comparing it to some original BMW Anthracite Alcantara we have here and the result we will feedback. Lets hope its as good as we have been told…BL

Update:Contact details Changed. Please can you note the new address and contact number. The old number has been on call divert for some time now but will end tonight at 11.59pm. We will soon be updating you with the backlog of renovations and re-trims...BL

Bespoke Leathering has Left the building. Just waiting to hand the keys over to the new occupier. Times gone quick, doesn't seam long ago that we were setting out the unit and building everything in there. Going back to the unit and seeing how small it is compared to what we have now is nuts. Onwards and upwards....BL

Photos from Bespoke Leathering Ltd's post

Sneak as to why its been very quiet. Just a few teasers to what's been going on and hopefully all will be complete soon. With some help from a few friends notably (William Underwood AKA billyboysM3) and a huge amount of work by Liam and Myself we can honestly say It is being tailored to your needs and the needs of the business right down to the smallest of details. For now, the pictures of how it looked before we got stuck in....BL

Timeline Photos

Car SOS Series 5: Fiat Dino Coupe: Tonight Nat Geo @ 8pm & Nat Geo +1 @ 9pm. Who is this lurking outside Bespoke Leathering and what does he want? Find out tonight...BL