Hawes & Curtis ties up £3.2m Middle East deal The chain, which is owned by retail entrepreneur Touker Suleyman and operates 28 stores in the UK, is marking its centenary year by teaming up with Korath Holding to open 26 stores across the Middle East. The deal, which will result in a $5m investment, will see the shirt-maker open new stores over the next five years in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The first is due to open at the end of this year at the World Trade Centre Mall in Abu Dhabi. Mr Suleyman, who also owns the Ghost womenswear retailer and Marks & Spencer supplier Low Profile Fashions, found himself in the news earlier this year after renting a lavish £20m house in south London to David Beckham and his family. "I have been looking to expand the Hawes & Curtis brand for some time and this deal has provided the perfect opportunity for us to raise our profile," said Mr Suleyman, describing the deal as a "game-changer for the business." He said he was "delighted" to be associated with the Korath family, who are "a huge player in this region." Mr Suleyman is also working on plans to launch a flagship Hawes & Curtis store in the US and replicate the franchise model in Indonesia and the Far East. He is also examining international expansion for the Ghost chain, which until recently he had characterised as "a small-time hobby." Riyaz Korath, chief executive of Korath Holding, said: "We are really excited about this opportunity and are looking forward to working with such an established British brand. It's great to be bringing British heritage to the Middle East. Hawes & Curtis was set up in 1913 by Ralph Hawes and Freddie Curtis, with the intention of creating "exclusive clothing for gentlemen." Famous clients have included the Duke of Windsor and Earl Mountbatten.