Sylvia Bridge sorts stock in her Shirts To Suit shop, Fulford, York Picture: Tony Seymour

A woman whose York-based clothing company was wound-up last year has started again from scratch.

Support from customers and staff prompted Sylvia Bridge, who ran Bridge of York for 21 years, to set up Shirts To Suit, on the same site as her previous operation atFulford.

At a time when most are thinking of retirement, 62-year-old Sylvia, who employs nine of her original rag trade workers, is rising like a phoenix from the ashes.

Sylvia, who blamed competition from cheap imports for the compulsory liquidation of Bridge of York, said: "It was a very traumatic and emotional period. My girls had been with me for a long time - some from the very beginning. We were like a family and quite a few tears were shed because the girls did not want to work for anyone but me."

Sylvia previously only produced shirts and trousers, but now offers many more services in her new venture, such as made-to-measure shirts and longer-sleeved shirts for the taller man. She also makes women's bespoke jackets, trousers and dresses.

In addition to providing garment alterations, Sylvia also manufactures corporate clothing for Nissan and Vauxhall, and shirts for Bradford Grammar School, and Queen Margaret's School, Escrick Park.

To help Sylvia get her business up and running again, a friend lent her the first month's rent, as well as providing some machinery. "This enterprise was too good to let go, and the response from my customers, who were very supportive, has been tremendous," said Sylvia. "We're holding our own and I believe we've made a profit this year."

She continued: "I want to thank my loyal customers for their sympathetic letters and telephone calls, which galvanised me back into action."

Future plans include advertising made-to-measure shirts on the Internet. "We're trying to give a broader service to people, and there's nothing we won't tackle," said Sylvia, who is very much a hands-on manager.

Retirement and ageism are words missing from the sexagenarian's lexicon. "Work keeps you feeling young and the camaraderie of the staff is very rewarding," she said.

In Britain people go bankrupt and companies can fall into a variety of states, varying from limbo to ultimate liquidation. This is related to their status in law - sole traders and partnerships have unlimited liability and are personally liable for the debts of the business.

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