A former daily newspaper editor has embarked on a radical change of career direction – by setting up a company to sell men’s bags on the web.

David Gledhill left the Northcliffe-owned Bath Chronicle in an editorial shake-up in 2005, but has since reinvented himself as an entrepreneur.

After leaving the Chronicle, David set up and ran a £135-a-night hotel on Weston Road, Bath, called The Residence.

Now he and his wife Carole Bond have launched a new online retail venture called Blokesbags, with a mission to stop men “looking like the Michelin Man on a bad day.”

Said David: “Look at the average High Street and the best dressed of the men are carrying bags. They have to because they want to have all their gadgets with them.

“Those who still insist on filling their pockets look more like the Michelin Man on a bad day. They spend a fortune on clothes and ruin them by putting bulges in places the designers never intended.”

David says he first recognised the problem during 11 years as editor: “I used to spend a fortune on suits only to unpick the pockets at the first opportunity and then proceed to fill them.

“Designer tailored suits are not meant to look like that, but I didn’t want to leave my toys at home,” he added.

Men’s Health magazine recently asked men what they carried in their manbags and answers included umbrellas, books, wallets, glasses, personal organisers, iPods, keys, pens, sunglasses, aftershave and lunch.

Blokesbags, which has adopted the slogan “because there should only be one bulge in your suit” offers a range of bags, briefcases, backpacks, messenger and courier bags, laptop bags and holdalls online at www.blokesbags.co.uk.

David began his career at the Spenborough Guardian in Cleckheaton and also worked at the Dewsbury Reporter, Bradford Telegraph & Argus and Swindon Evening Advertiser

In addition to his 11 years as editor of the Chronicle, he was also vice president of the Society of Editors and chair of the NCTJ’s Journalism Examination Board.

Comments

jeremy blake (12/12/2008 09:40:16)
good luck david finding a niche within a local press environment is a challenge though not impossible and finding a niche in the bag market seemed tough – not anymore well done, and the best of luck David

inspired (14/12/2008 12:20:51)
David, you’re an inspiration to all those set to be forced to pack their bags at Newsquest etc. Good luck with your new venture.