Birmingham city centre hat shop The Hatman has been making and selling hats for over 40 years. We take a closer look at the store with a celebrity client list from UB40 to Lady Gaga.
Hidden on the doorstep of New Street Station, you’ll find The Hatman in Stephenson Street, opposite Burlington Arcade.
A treasure trove of hats, accessories and even vinyl records, owner Dennis Hamilton is beavering away on his latest project.
Dennis, aged 68, knows everything there is to know about hats. He’s been making them since the 1980s.
Celebrities and TV companies flock to this delightful store and The Hatman supplied specialist hats for not just Peaky Blinders but Steven Knight’s other BBC show, This Town.
Members of Duran Duran, The Stylistics and UB40 have shopped here along with Tom Jones, Lennox Lewis and Bitty McLean.
Dennis is unphased by famous faces, recalling how the late West Bromwich Albion footballer Cyrille Regis was a regular and when entourages for Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber rushed in with requests when the stars were performing in the city centre.
Along with rows of hats from beaver and pork pie hats to baker boys, caps and even top hats, there’s also designer names including Kangol, Stone Island , Moschino , Paul and Shark and Armani can all be found in The Hat Man.
Dennis, originally from Handsworth, whose since lived in Small Heath and Erdington, explained: “I started the business over 40 years ago and still make customised hats but we also sell clothes, ties and accessories.
“When I was about 21, I was a music man, trying to be a DJ, so I used to make hats for the money to buy reggae records and DJ equipment. Then I ended up focusing on the hats.
“I’ve made hats for TV series including Peaky Blinders and This Town as the team came in here to buy props.
“I’ve had people in here from every country in the world buying Peaky Blinders hats. A lot of Chinese customers come too and are keen on yellow Kangols.
“Working here, I meet all sorts of people. One guy came in saying he was the King of an African country and had six female handmaidens with him. He bought quite a few safari hats.”
Dennis’ love of music is reflected in a corner of the shop reserved for CDs and vinyl records. Here you’ll find a wide selection of retro R’n’B and reggae to browse.
Find The Hat Man store at 54 Stephenson Street, Birmingham city centre, B2 4DH. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.