Wellgosh opens its third UK store in Birmingham

Streetwear and trainer retailer Wellgosh, which was acquired by JD Sports in January 2021, has today opened its third store to date, at Unit 1, Caxton Gate, Cannon Street in Birmingham.

The 3,500 sq ft store is the retailer’s largest yet, having added a Nottingham store at 6 Clumber Street, in October 2021, to its Leicester store at 34 High Street.

Wellgosh was founded by Peter Turner in 1988 in Leicester’s Silver Arcade before moving to the larger high street premises in 1998.

He said: “We felt that Birmingham was lacking a serious trainer destination store that also carries the premium clothing and accessories brands that we offer. As the UK’s second biggest city, Birmingham is perfect for us as we look to maximise opportunities in the right destinations.

“We are in a fantastic 3,500 sq ft store that sits on the corner of New Street and Cannon Street. The building has a great mix of imposing original features that have been complemented by a contemporary shop fit that takes inspiration from the raw feel of our existing stores, using the industrial materials that we like to work with.

“We are bang opposite the Apple store and Watches of Switzerland on New Street, whilst still being close to the independents on Cannon Street and the surrounding area, so again a high footfall location that retains an interesting feel.

“We now have three awesome stores in the Midlands that we think will act as a solid base for us as we prepare to launch our new website later this year. After that we will have to wait and see how things develop, but (in terms of more Wellgosh stores in the future) I wouldn’t rule anything out!”

The Birmingham store is set over two floors filled with streetwear, techwear, skatewear, trainers and accessories, and currently has back-to-back sets from some of Leicester’s finest up-and-coming DJs supplying the soundtrack while customers shop. Limited edition tote bags are also being given out with every purchase – while stocks last.

With 10 months of trading in Nottingham now behind Wellgosh, which was its first foray outside of its native Leicester, Turner is happy with the way things have gone so far.

He added: “We knew that a Nottingham store would work well for us and it has certainly done that. Clumber Street is a fantastic location that ticks the boxes in terms of footfall and feel; the store has settled in really well there and is trading above expectations.”

Wellgosh is known for its limited releases and rare pieces and sells a roster of brands including Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Stüssy, Carhartt, Brain Dead, Obey, Wacko Maria, Arc’teryx, The North Face and Patagonia.