Largest Skiwear Department in the North
Skimania has opened what is widely regarded as the largest dedicated skiwear area in the North of England. Opened as part of the 14,000 sq.ft. outdoor clothing retail and internet showroom complex in Holmfirth, the new skiwear floor is completely dedicated to skiwear including ski and snowboard jackets, pants, helmets, goggles and ski clothing accessories.
The opening of the new floor gives Skimania around 2,000sq.ft of skiwear, larger than any other dedicated ski shop in the North of England. The floor is open to all Internet customers to let them browse and try on around 700 lines of ski clothing items prior to buying or ordering on line.
Skimania managing director Sara Longden commented, “it has been a long project. Since the opening of the ground floor retail area last Christmas, we have worked hard on making the Outdoormania mill one of the most prestigious outdoor showrooms anywhere in the country.
“The opening of the Skimania floor marks what is probably the most prestigious stage of development. It looks fantastic and offers something for everyone, from sub £100 beginner skiwear packages for men, women and kids to high brow, top performing jackets and pants from the likes of Salomon, Armada and Oakley. People are already telling us it’s an essential destination for anyone who skis or boards and we’re delighted they like it!”
The floor is open to all Internet customers and groups of skiers including schools and colleges. Experienced ski and boarding staff are on hand to advise parties on appropriate clothing depending on experience and conditions on the mountain. The whole Outdoormania complex has been designed to create a relaxed shopping atmosphere where customers can browse and chat with a cup of coffee.
The opening reflects the penultimate phase of the mill’s development. There are now four floors of retail and Internet showrooms. The final phase will see a panoramic bistro style cafe on the top floor which will offer commanding views over the beautiful ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ countryside. The building is open to the public from 10.00am until 5.00pm six days a week; it’s difficult to miss, a large five storey mill on the right hand side of Dunford Road as when travelling into Holmfirth from the South. There’s also a large free customer car park around the front of the building.
Camping Weekend Success
Outdoormania's inaugural camping weekend in July was a huge success attracting visitors from as far afield as Merseyside, the Midlands and Lincolnshire. With almost 1,000 visitors to the five storey mill complex and the adjacent camping exhibition, the Holmfirth site was a hive of activity.
Events included a widespread tent exhibition at the neighbouring Underbank Rugby Ground, a climbing wall, catering and attendance by many manufacturers to explain the merits of their products. The shop also ran competitions and gave away nearly £3,000 of product to customers over the three day show.
"We were delighted with the turn-out," commented marketing director Phil Haynes. "The activity around the site was precisely what we had hoped for when we first took the near derelict building on 18 months ago."
Around £1.5 million has so far been invested in converting the five storey mill into what has been described as one of the most prestigious outdoor venues in the UK. Four floors of Internet showrooms and retail are now open to view online product and to try clothing on. The final stage will complete later this year with a bistro cafe on the top floor which will take in the commanding views over "Summer Wine" Holmfirth.
"With the mill now in full swing, Outdoormania really is a destination venue," added Phil Haynes. "Certainly many customers commented on the size and level of fit in the building and the event was made all the better by the expert advice from staff and suppliers throughout the weekend.
"Suppliers such as Gelert, Regatta, Coleman, Weird Fish, Merrell and Helly Hansen gave us some fantastic support, helping the event to go off with a bang. A big thank you to them and let's all hope we can make the event bigger and better next year!"