The story of Joel & Son Fabrics

With a rich heritage spanning over 70 years, our story has unfolded to deliver fabrics all around the world. We've grown and expanded to deliver the highest quality of product and standards of customer service.

1940s 1950s 1970s 1980s 2000s Present
1940s
It was in the mid-1940s, amidst the early fog of post-war Britain, that a young tailor from North London called Hyman Bull left the services in search of work and came across a supply of army surplus materials for sale.
1950s
In 1952, unable to work due to illness, Hyman passed the running of the business to his 14 year old son Joel, who was forced to leave school in order to manage the family’s fabric stall. Running the stall proved a hard graft for Joel, who toiled through 18 hour days, 2am starts and the harshest of weather conditions, all on his own, for many years.
1970s
By 1976, however, business was booming. Joel decided to expand from one stall to four, setting up shop in Earls Court, Bell Street and Church Street Markets.
1980s
The first official Joel & Son Fabrics shop opened its doors on Church Street in 1979, right opposite the spot where the first stall stood all those years ago.
2000s
In the years since, Joel and Son Fabrics has grown to become a leading retailer in the world of fabric. We maintain close connections with factories all over the globe, including suppliers in Italy, France, Switzerland, India and beyond.
Present
Joel's son, Gary, is now at the helm, and alongside his own son, Coby, who is also heavily involved in the running of the business, strives to maintain the quality of product and high level of Customer Service that Joel and Son Fabrics has always prided itself on.
1940s

It was in the mid-1940s, amidst the early fog of post-war Britain, that a young tailor from North London called Hyman Bull left the services in search of work and came across a supply of army surplus materials for sale.

1950s

In 1952, unable to work due to illness, Hyman passed the running of the business to his 14 year old son Joel, who was forced to leave school in order to manage the family’s fabric stall. Running the stall proved a hard graft for Joel, who toiled through 18 hour days, 2am starts and the harshest of weather conditions, all on his own, for many years.

1970s

By 1976, however, business was booming. Joel decided to expand from one stall to four, setting up shop in Earls Court, Bell Street and Church Street Markets.

Calling on friends, family, and even his pregnant wife, Joel’s business continued to flourish with the help of his loyal team of workers, who displayed the same dedication and unfailing work ethos that he had built his growing empire with.

1980s

The first official Joel & Son Fabrics shop opened its doors on Church Street in 1979, right opposite the spot where the first stall stood all those years ago.

2000s

The first official Joel & Son Fabrics shop opened its doors on Church Street in 1979, right opposite the spot where the first stall stood all those years ago.

Present

We are always developing and buying the most up-to-date, in vogue and technologically advanced fabrics to sell in our shop, and happily for customers who aren’t quite within its reach, many of our fabrics are now available for purchase and delivery through our online store.

Joel's son, Gary, is now at the helm, and alongside his own son, Coby, who is also heavily involved in the running of the business, strives to maintain the quality of product and high level of Customer Service that Joel and Son Fabrics has always prided itself on.
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