SportsShoes.com announces £2.5m investment in “creative and tech hub”

Leading UK running shoes, apparel and outdoor gear retailer SportsShoes.com has commenced work on the refurbishment of an existing 10,750 sq ft warehouse to be turned into a creative and tech hub.

Adjacent to its Bradford head office and main warehouse facilities, Unit 2 is being created to aid the retailer’s ongoing strategic growth plan, and will accommodate an additional 100 staff over two floors, becoming home to the company’s digital, marketing, commercial and management teams.

Designed by architects, building consultants and interior designers, Bowman Riley, the new interior and exterior will “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’.

Expected to be in use by the end of this year, Unit 2 incorporates collaborative workspaces, quiet working pods, a showroom, meeting rooms, boardroom, photography studio, kitchen and a café. The building also features solar panels on the roof.

SportsShoes.com 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 SportsShoes.com brand stands for.

“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 running and outdoor brands, including Nike, Adidas, Asics, Hoka and New Balance on the running side, and outdoor apparel from the likes of Haglöfs, Montane, Rab and Patagonia.