Retail

A Teesside businesswoman who runs an award-winning business in Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market and in Ingleby Barwick has visited 10 Downing Street to show off her range of goods to government ministers.

Dawn Worton, owner of Harry’s Pet Emporium in Dundas Market, and of Ingleby Pet Supplies in Ingleby Barwick, visited 10 Downing Street as part of a reception for small business owners to mark Small Business Saturday which took place on Saturday, 2^nd December.

Mrs Worton, who sells a range of quality pet foods and pet accessories, was selected by Small Business Saturday as one of 100 small businesses to champion.

She, and other small business owners, were welcomed by Stephen Barclay MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Baroness Fairhead CBE, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade, Claire Perry MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Caroline Nokes MP, Minister for Government Resilience and Efficiency.

Mrs Worton showed off her range of high quality independent foods, toys, treats, apparel and other accessories, as well as Christmas presents, including pet selection boxes, to the ministers, and had a chance to talk to them about her business success.

She says: “It was a great honour to visit Number 10 Downing Street, helping to represent all the small businesses which are the backbone of the UK economy and to meet so many other inspirational small business owners.”

Harry’s Pet Emporium opened in Dundas Market, part of Dundas Shopping Centre, in October 2017.  To avoid confusion with her shop in Ingleby Barwick, Mrs Worton asked her 10 year old son Harry to think up a new name for her Dundas Market unit, and he came up with Harry’s Pet Emporium.

“Harry’s Pet Emporium is trading well in the Dundas Market.  It is a good location for us, as we are next to many other smaller independent traders who attract the same type of customer.  The market has built a good reputation and increases its pull with its monthly Food and Craft markets and other events,” continues Mrs Worton.

Dundas Market Manager David Harris says: “This is a great accolade for Dawn and her business.  I am sure she did us proud, representing our hard working market traders, as well as small business owners across Teesside.”

Just in time for the Christmas rush, Remus Uomo has increased its offering at leading menswear store Psyche, to offer its customers a wider range of products. Now standing at 1200 sq feet, the space has tripled in size since it launched in the store in 2002.

Situated alongside some of Psyche’s other premium labels such as Barbour and Hugo Boss, Remus Uomo now has its own dedicated tailoring area, offering a range of both slim and tapered fit suiting.

The Italian inspired brand is also renowned for its relaxed yet sharp approach to smart casualwear. The increasing demand has been reflected in Psyche’s new wider offering.

And with Christmas around the corner the area is stocked with the brand’s most popular accessories, so it’s no surprise that Remus Uomo is one of Psyche’s highest performing menswear brands.

Patisserie Valerie are excited to announce the first birthday of their Middlesbrough store.

The high-end brand opened their first store in Middlesbrough on 15th November 2016 following several requests from their loyal customers to set up shop in this busy location.

The store is located within Middlesbrough Debenhams on Newport Road, in Middlesbrough’s town centre. The opening of this hugely popular store in 2016, not only celebrated Patisserie Valerie’s continued partnership with esteemed brand Debenhams, but was also an advantageous step towards the brand’s goal of opening 20 new stores annually.

The Middlesbrough store has grown from strength to strength over the last year; the store staff priding themselves on their continued delivery of delicious patisserie and generously indulgent gateau slices for customers to enjoy. With such an amazing start, Patisserie Valerie are very excited to celebrate the store’s birthday and look forward to welcoming existing and new customers into this café!

A local firm which produces ethnic snacks for the UK’s biggest supermarkets has been named Food Manufacturer of the Year.

SK Chilled Foods also scooped the title of Chilled Manufacturing of the Year in the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, which were held in London this week.

The two awards, regarded as the Oscars of the food manufacturing world, recognised the technical innovation that resulted in the company making record sales of £60 million last year.

From its head offices in Wynyard and two factories Middlesbrough, SK Chilled Foods makes ethnic snacks, accompaniments for meals, and own-label party food for the UK’s biggest supermarkets, as well as restaurant chains and food service companies.

The awards’ independent judging panel – lead by Paul Wilkinson, chair of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink – praised the firm’s relentless attention to detail in carving out its place in the highly competitive UK snacks market estimated to be worth £119M a year.

He said: “Every year, the judges’ challenge to pick out just one winner becomes a little more difficult.”

“But this year SK Chilled Foods emerged as the judges’ top choice, thanks to its deep commitment to new product development, process innovation and customer service.”

SK Chilled Foods’ Managing Director Jeremy Faulkner said: “We operate in a very competitive marketplace and there are lots of excellent food manufacturers in the UK, so to be named the best is an amazing honour.

“We pride ourselves on our new product development, technical integrity, service and the constant drive for innovation.

“It would have been impossible to win these awards without the hard work and commitment of the 675 staff who work for SK Chilled Foods.

“From the development chefs and head office team, to the people in the factories, everyone has played their part in our success and I would like to thank them for their amazing effort.”

The annual FMEAs, organised by William Reed’s Food Manufacture Group,are  now in their 17^th year and have become the premier showcase for British food and drink manufacturing excellence.

This year’s FMEAs included seven manufacturing awards: Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year, Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year, Beverages Manufacturing Company of the Year, Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year, Dairy Manufacturing Company of the Year, Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year and Meat and Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing Company of the Year.

FMEA Oscars were also awarded for: Best New Use of Food Ingredients, Environmental Initiative of the Year, Supply Chain Initiative of the Year, Training Programme of the Year, SME Innovation of the Year and Judges’ Star Performer.

The final two awards were for: Young Talent of the Year and the Me and My Factory: Editor’s Choice Award.

Luxury designer retailer Flannels rolled out the black carpet and celebrated in style with a VIP launch party to open their new store in Middlesbrough last night.

The highly anticipated opening of the store, located on Linthorpe Road, was a glittering affair. The impressive guest list included big names from the local business communities, singer Amelia Lily and Middlesbrough FC’s captain, player Ben Gibson.

The luxury retailer treated guests to a night of music, food and drinks to celebrate the opening of the new store which showcases coveted brands including Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Burberry, Kenzo and Stone Island.

Jenna Triscott, Flannels’ Marketing Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people here supporting our opening night.”

“We’re really excited to bring the Flannels experience to Teesside and we are extremely proud to be part of the Middlesbrough retail landscape.”

Guests enjoyed a Moet champagne reception, cocktails courtesy of Belvedere Vodka served up by Heads, Hearts and Tails bar and canapés served up by Tomahawk. DJ Matt Holden and The Sax Guy entertained the VIP guests whilst they shopped.

Flannels, one of the UK’s leading retailers, specialises in luxury men’s, women’s and children’s designer clothing, footwear and accessories. The new 8,500 square foot store boasts a clean, contemporary design, which represents the retailer’s strong aesthetic and design concept.

Flannels, one of the UK’s leading luxury retailers, has unveiled plans to open a new store in Middlesbrough next month, creating 24 jobs.

The Middlesbrough store will be the latest in a string of openings for Flannels.

Specialising in designer clothing, footwear and accessories across menswear, womenswear and children’s wear, the new store, located on Linthorpe Road, will showcase a selection of the most coveted brands including Balenciaga, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Off White, Kenzo, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Stone Island, C.P. Company and many more.

A spokesperson for Flannels says: “We are very excited to open our newest store in Middlesbrough, the latest opening within the Flannels expansion.

“Our customers on Teesside will be able to buy some of the most sought-after designer products.

“We can’t wait to bring the Flannels experience to the people of Middlesbrough and the surrounding areas.”

The new 8,500 square foot store will stock an edited selection of men’s, women’s and children’s luxury clothing, footwear and accessories.

Continually striving for excellence with its unparalleled luxury retail experience, Flannels’ exceptional customer service includes personal shopping and experts to offer advice on the latest trends and styles.

Bakers Tailoring, one of Teesside’s most long-established names, has enhanced his growing reputation by receiving a leading wedding industry award for the quality of its menswear.

Bakers was hailed as Wedding Menswear Supplier of the Year for the North-East and Yorkshire in the prestigious Wedding Industry Awards.

Bakers has been the name Teessiders have turned to for more than 100 years, having been established as merchant navy outfitters since 1911.

But in the 18 short months since moving two doors along and doubling their space at their new home at 166 Linthorpe Road, Bakers has hit boom time.

The business has recruited five new staff to meet a fast-increasing demand that has seen them treble their turnover in the past year alone.

Managing director Paul Smith says news is spreading as they establish their reputation as the North-East’s leading menswear wedding specialists, with grooms, best men and fellow guests flocking to their Middlesbrough store from as far afield as Newcastle and even Berwick.

Working with some of the world’s finest suppliers of cloth, Bakers make, sell and hire suits for all occasions.
From off-the-peg suits from just £195 to a groom’s made-to-measure three-piece costing £2,500, Bakers cover all spectrums and budgets.

Local lad Paul has made the climb from the firm’s youth trainee to managing director during 38 years of tailoring on Linthorpe Road, all but six of them spent with Bakers – the rest as Psyche’s tailoring manager.

“Bakers is my life,” he said. “I still love it, I still thrive off it. We’ve based our success on providing quality at affordable prices, specialising in providing made-to-measure and off-the-peg wedding suits.

“Tailoring is a dying trade but we offer service, knowledge and experience that fits everyone’s needs. But quality is the key.

“Winning the accolade as the region’s best menswear wedding supplier endorses what we already believed and tells us that our hard work is paying off. To also finish in the top five for the entire country left us walking on air”.

Smith has been the tailor to the stars over the years including football heroes such as Fabrizio Ravanelli, Juninho and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. When Middlesbrough Football Club – Ravanelli, Juninho, Bryan Robson et al – reached the 1997 FA Cup final, it was Paul who ensured their suits sparkled on the Wembley pitch before the match as much as Boro’s famous red and white shirts did during it.

And when a new band of local heroes performed miracles to reach the UEFA Cup final in 2006, it was Paul’s company, Bakers, that the club turned to for made-to-measure suits to match the prestige of the occasion.
But, whilst the groom’s big day remains the cornerstone of their business, Paul is increasingly looking to the workplace as Bakers’ next big market.

He said: “We’re not known for our business suits like we should be, but we’re now targeting that market.

“We can take the pain out of looking for a new made-to-measure business suit for anyone who is time-precious by visiting their home or workplace, day or night. We show them the cloths, designs, styles, fit them up and get them delivered in four to six weeks – faster if they use express delivery.”

The magic is to remain in Middlesbrough a while longer after it was confirmed that Disney has signed an extension to the lease of its popular pop-up store in the Cleveland Centre in 2018.

The 3,600 sq ft store initially opened in November for the Christmas period but has proved such a hit with Teesside shoppers that it will now remain open in the town’s largest shopping centre.

The news means shoppers will be able to continue to purchase the best Star Wars, Marvel and Disney merchandise without having to travel further afield.

Until the Cleveland Centre opening, Teesside Disney fans had to travel to the North-East’s only two Disney Stores, in Sunderland and Newcastle, or in the opposite direction to York.

Sited in a unit on the Centre Mall, the store created a number of jobs including store manager, team leader and cast members when it opened.

Disney Store stocks a wide range of Disney products, from the Disney Princess Animator Collection to its new MXYZ tween line of stationery, backpacks and more.

The store is also be the home of the best Star Wars and Marvel merchandise, from the hugely popular Beauty and the Beast collection to its MXYZ tween line of stationery, backpacks and more.

The store is also home of the best Star Wars and Marvel merchandise, from Rogue One and classic Stars Wars die-cast figures and costumes to Captain America’s shield.

Cleveland Centre manager Graeme Skillen hailed confirmation of Disney Store’s commitment to Middlesbrough as “amazing news”.

He said: “Disney is the brand that everyone wants.

“We were absolutely thrilled that Disney chose to bring its worldwide brand to Middlesbrough and specifically the Cleveland Centre.

“The store has proved to be a huge hit with shoppers, not just in the build up to Christmas but since then too.

“Disney’s decision to stay is a further boost to the regeneration of the northern end of our Centre Mall, with development work to the high-end Flannels store on the site of the former BHS now well on the way and Pound World up and running, while we have further news to announce in the near future.”

Graham Burridge, managing director of Disney Store Europe, added: “Our pop-up Disney Store in the Cleveland Centre has proved extremely popular with the people of Middlesbrough since it opened last November and we’re very pleased to announce that it will remain open for the foreseeable future.

“Whether it’s the latest product ranges from Beauty and the Beast or Moana or people looking for the best place to find toys, gifts, collectibles and everyday treats for all the family, we look forward to continuing to offer guests a great Disney Store experience.”