The man who made the The Beatles’ first suits has died aged 83.

Walter Smith crafted thousands of bespoke suits at his shop, Craft Tailoring, in the city centre .

But the tailor, who also served on Wirral Council , secured his place in music history after he suited and booted Liverpool’s fabulous four back in 1962.One of his regular customers was Brian Epstein and one day that summer he walked into the shop looking for clothes for the four lads in his new up and coming band.

Speaking to the ECHO four years ago about the experience he said: “It’s funny. I had no idea on that Wednesday 50 years ago that those four lads would go on to do so much. Even with that silly name.”

When the boys came in for a measuring and fitting of the blue wool and silk mix suit, with a thin-lapel box jacket with drop shoulders and drainpipe trousers, Walter had two requests: one to leave their stinking, sweaty boots outside and another to watch their language.

The suits were made in a fortnight ready for the Beatles’ first TV appearance on Granada. And his shop became a regular stopping off point for Beatles tours.

 

Mr Smith was also deeply involved in local politics and was elected councillor for the then Egerton Ward on Wirral Council in 1979.

Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead , said: “Walter’s death robs the Wirral and the wider Merseyside region of a towering ethical socialist who devoted the whole of his life to establishing the common good. To his family I send my sincere condolences.

“Walter was the Chairman of the Birkenhead Labour Party that selected me in January 1979 to be MP for Birkenhead. My mind is full of all the wonderful things Walter achieved in his life- but how could it be otherwise given the life he lived?”


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