A personalised sock business which started in a spare bedroom is set to open its first physical premises in the Intu Derby shopping centre.
Solesmith, which designs, produces and sells personalised socks, is set to take space in the centre later this month after winning a competition aimed at supporting independent retailers and small businesses.
Up until now, the business has sold its products online. However, on August 30, Solesmith will open in a ground floor unit, near to M&S and Debenhams.
As well as stocking its products, the shop will also have its own production facilities, so customers can have socks personalised while they wait.
Solesmith was founded at the Mickleover home of Lauren Dorling - and, at the time of launch, was the first company in the UK of its kind.
The company soon expanded rapidly, growing its workforce and setting up a second production facility in Burton. The growth of the business led to Lauren being named Entrepreneur of the Year at last year’s Derby Telegraph Business Awards.
Solesmith has claimed its spot in Intu Derby after winning a competition, organised by Revo, called Hatch, which was run in conjunction with nine major UK shopping centres, including Intu Derby.
The prize offered was a place in one of the centres, with rent and rates free for six weeks.
The winning companies also secured free business and marketing support from the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), as well as a year’s free membership, including an insurance scheme and free legal advice.
Adam Tamsett, general manager at Intu Derby, said: “The face of retail is changing and we’re seeing that customers want more choice between the nation’s favourite retailers and smaller, independent brands.
“Intu Derby welcomes more than 22 million shoppers a year and we’re confident that Solesmith will be a huge hit once they open their doors.
“Hatch gives local brands the chance to trade in a shopping centre for the first time. The competition gives winners a risk-free way to test customer demand for their products.”
