As global luxury giants set their sights on India, a striking reversal is unfolding. Delhi-based businessman Shashank Bhagat has acquired Thomas Goode—a nearly 200-year-old symbol of British opulence—signalling a new era where heritage luxury finds fresh momentum under Indian stewardship.

British luxury tableware brand Thomas Goode, which was established in 1827 in London, has, for nearly two centuries, stood as the true symbol of luxury, sophistication, and craftsmanship. Synonymous with opulence and exclusivity, gracing the tables of royalty, dignitaries, and connoisseurs of fine living across the globe, the brand has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Bhagat who is  the chairman of BI Group.

“Pre-Covid Thomas Goode decided to open a store in India. The owners knew Mr Oberoi and launched their store at The Oberoi Mumbai. Then Covid struck and three months after the launch they had to shut their store. Even back in England the store had to pull down its shutters,” says Bhagat. “The company soon ran into financial troubles globally and the ripple effect appeared in Mumbai too with the brand not being able to pay rents, etc. Mr Oberoi knew I loved the brand and introduced me to the owners of the brand, and I ended up buying the brand for India two years ago. And then the brand suggested that we invest in the parent company globally and eventually we bought the brand globally.”

According to Bhagat, they negotiated well as part of signing the deal and factored in the past and future earnings before making the decision. “When the brand ran into financial trouble it went into administration and we ended up buying from the administration through bidding,” says Bhagat. “There were three other bidders and the negotiations were with the administrators and not with individual owners. That took about three months and we won the bid last August.”

Throughout its storied history, Thomas Goode has served some of the most prestigious households in the world. Its creations have graced the tables of British royalty and aristocracy, bearing witness to countless moments of grandeur and celebration. According to the brrand, this rich heritage is imbued in every piece it offers, making each item a piece of history.

However, the impact of Covid and the subsequent shutting down of stores is going to the prime focus for Bhagat after he acquired the brand. “Historically there has only been one iconic store in Mayfair, London, which had to be shut during the pandemic. Now we are looking into opening in the U.K. first and then perhaps the US from where we’ve been receiving few enquiries.”

A brand holding two Royal Warrants—an exclusive distinction granted by a British monarch or senior royal to companies that have reliably supplied goods or services to the royal household for at least five of the past seven years—Thomas Goode has been the perfect choice for Buckingham Palace for many years. “Well, the warrant had been held in abeyance as the brand went into administration, which needs to be reapplied now. Having said that, let me say that when the Czar of Russia visited Queen Victoria and when Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married, Thomas Goode was invited to do the dinner service. Such is the prestige of the brand,” says Bhagat. “It’s a matter of prestige for us and we have also supplied to all the maharajas including the Maharaja of Baroda and Kota. And now the younger generation of the royalty is also showing growing interest in this brand.”

Thomas Goode opened its doors officially at The Oberoi New Delhi last year and Bhagat says the plan is to further consolidate its operations in this region. “North India accounts for a very large portion of the India business as many people from the North, including interior designers and architects, come to Delhi to shop,” says Bhagat. “Our business consists of three categories. Everything from the tabletop—porcelain, glassware and China—second, gifting and third, home décor. For home décor, Delhi is the largest market in the country, second would be Mumbai and then Hyderabad. We will reopen in Mumbai at some point and then go to South.” 

Bhagat says customisation accounts for 30% of the brands overall business and compared to other similar brands, Thomas Goode’s price points, provenance, and brand profile are much higher. “Our porcelain and bone China are made in England and glassware at the Czech Republic. This brand comes under BI Luxury in our portfolio of brands. And under BI Luxury we also have the Trident Residences... both complement each other,” he says. “As for the months ahead, in due course of time we will also introduce Thomas Goode hotels and branded residences as the brand and resonates well with ultra-high-end living and luxury interiors. I already have a UK firm developing this further. The brand has 200 years of archives for us to draw inspiration from, some of the finest curated things in the world!”

With this acquisition, Shashank Bhagat is not just preserving a legacy; he is reimagining it for a global audience through innovative approaches. From London’s historic Mayfair to the luxury corridors of Delhi, Thomas Goode is set to blend timeless craftsmanship with contemporary vision. With the brand now planning to extend its signature elegance and design ethos into Thomas Goode Hotels & Residences, offering curated ultra-luxury living experiences that echo its heritage, it is all set to take the luxury experience to a different level!