SportsShoes.com invests in creative and tech hub to support growth aims

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Oct 11, 2022

Not the catchiest name for a creative and tech hub, but SportShoes.com has begun work on building Unit 2. The 10,750 sq ft space, adjacent to its Bradford head office and warehouse facilities, is a £2.5 million investment, becoming home to the company’s digital, marketing, commercial and management teams when it opens year-end.

It forms part of the online running shoes, running clothing and outdoor gear retailer’s ongoing strategic growth plan, it said. It also embodies its stated intention of “becoming the world’s most sustainable running equipment retailer by 2025”.

Designed by Bowman Riley, the two-floor interior and exterior “embody the SportsShoes.com brand and provide an immersive experience”. The interior concept is based on the run, gym and hike elements of the business. Running is represented by a racetrack and trainer tree for display, gym is recognised by climbing ladder references in reception and hike by bleacher seating that leads to a social space called Park Life. It incorporates collaborative workspaces, quiet working pods, a showroom, meeting rooms, boardroom, photography studio, kitchen and café. 

Managing director Brett Bannister, said: “Our vision is to have a creative and tech hub that provides the very best environment for our people, brand patrons and suppliers to collaborate and enjoy. We are now going to make that vision a reality and deliver an outstanding facility that represents and reflects everything the… brand stands for.

He added: “Unit 2 will play a fundamental role in enabling our continued expansion. We can’t wait to start working from it and welcoming our people, brand partners, suppliers and new employees to the building.”

Established in 1982, SportsShoes.com offers customers more than 17,000 products from 150 global running and outdoor brands. From a running perspective these include Asics, Nike, Adidas, Hoka and New Balance while in terms of outdoor they include Haglöfs, Montane, Rab and Patagonia.