Member Article

Stockport-based beauty wholesaler Alan Howard moves into new headquarters creating new jobs

Stockport-based beauty wholesaler Alan Howard has moved into new headquarters with help from Natwest.

The business was established in 1973 by Howard Littler and Alan Crawford.

The pair created a wholesale business supplying hair and beauty products to customers in and around Greater Manchester.

The business opened its second store in Oldham in the 1970s and then opened further outlets across Greater Manchester.

As part of its growth, Alan Howard acquired new wholesale stores in Cheshire and Shropshire as well as acquiring Memmotts in Sheffield – a shampoo factory which is still in operation today.

More recently Alan Howard has opened branches in Lancashire and in Merseyside.

To support its growing business, the directors took the decision to establish a flagship headquarters and purchased premises off the M60 in the S Park development.

The new flagship headquarters includes state of the art training facilities, a cash and carry outlet for customers, and a conference theatre which can seat up to 100 people.

Managing director of Alan Howard, Anthony Littler, said: “We found ourselves in a position where we needed a new space for our headquarters.

“The unit at S Park will give us excellent space to base the business in our original home of Stockport.

“We will be able offer training on-site, which is a benefit to our customers who want a complete package when buying products.”

Alan Howard employs 290 people across the country in its 22 stores and more jobs are to be created at the new headquarters in Stockport.

NatWest relationship manager Iain Kirkland supported Alan Howard on the purchase of the new premises in Stockport by obtaining a seven-figure loan to facilitate.

Iain said: “I was delighted to support Alan Howard on its development of a new flagship headquarters in Stockport. The new training facilities and conference theatre will be a benefit to customers, and I wish Alan Howard every success for the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .