A Teesside footwear retailer has unveiled plans for a new £3m head office and warehouse in the town where the company began.
To meet the rising levels of stock needed to meet its online sales, Charles Clinkard is building its new headquarters on the site of the former ‘At Home’ store at Cannon Park in Middlesbrough.
Managing director Charles Clinkard said: “We haven’t worked out the finer details yet as the deal is still going through but it will be great for the business.
“It will take us around six months to rebuild and we’re hoping to open it in January 2016.
“The new space will hold a lot more stock and this will set us up for the future, providing us with the opportunity to grow to the next level.”
The company’s current head office and warehouse is at Eveline House at Preston Farm, Stockton. And with the lease on this building expiring later this year, work on the new 5,000 sqm building, which has stood empty for many years, is due to start in April.
The company is forecast to achieve £6m in online sales this year, with that figure expected to rise to £10m over the next three years.
More than 90 people are employed in the head office and warehouse and as online sales increase Charles Clinkard is hopeful more jobs will be created.
The company estimates that for every £1m increase in online sales five jobs will be created.
Local companies and a local labour force will be used on the construction wherever possible.
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Charles Clinkard’s HQ back to Middlesbrough, complementing their existing shop’s presence on Corporation Road.
“This announcement is great news for Middlesbrough town centre. The company is a distinguished name in retail and we should be proud both that it began life here and that it is now returning.
“The development will be fantastic for the local economy and will bring with it numerous benefits to the town.
“We are looking forward to seeing the plans brought to life as, from the look of the proposed building and landscaping, it will change the face of Cannon Park and most likely encourage others to bring their business to the area.”
Charles Clinkard’s grandparents opened the company’s first store in Middlesbrough in 1924. The company now has 33 stores nationwide employing more than 600 staff.
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