Our Tenant Case Study: Uniform Store NI
Meet our businesses: Uniform Store NI
Uniform Store NI is a growing business that has been well established in the Ards area for many years. Previously known as Crawford Embroidery, Business owner Stephen McVeigh has a shop on the High Street in Newtownards but has taken a unit in Ards Business Hub’s Strangford Park in order to develop the embroidery and online sales sides of his business.
An increasing number of customers buy school uniforms online and Uniform Store NI supplies both uniforms and PE kits for approximately 40 schools. In addition, the company provides embroidering, not only for school uniforms but for many other local businesses.
“Once a child has tried on their first uniform, parents know how to go up the sizes as their children grow. During the pandemic, customers got used to buying everything online and this has led to a huge increase in sales for us. We plan to take on an additional three full-time people as well as casual summer staff during the peak buying periods so this dedicated space will give us room to grow,” Stephen McVeigh said.
What they say about Ards Business Hub:
Uniform Store NI needed a space large enough for its embroidery machinery and the extensive stock of uniforms, PE Kits and leavers’ hoodies. Stephen explains that he was keen to keep the company in the local area and was delighted when a unit became available at Ards Business Hub.
“The unit had everything we needed with a partitioned office and enough space on the floor for the machinery. It also has easy access for deliveries and handy parking. I really like the friendliness here and the team have been so helpful,” he added.
What we say:
Ards Business Hub Chief Executive, Nichola Lockhart said: “Uniform Store NI is a recognised brand on the High Street in Ards and we are delighted to be part of their journey as they expand their online business. By focusing on this area of growth, they have the potential to create new jobs and build the business even further.”