Member Article

Durham shop is the Retailer of the Decade

A NORTH EAST DESIGNER menswear store is celebrating in style – after being named Retailer of the Decade.

Woven at The Gates Shopping Centre, Durham took the accolade at the city’s retail awards along with two other awards on the night - Independent Retailer of the Year and Retail Person of the Year.

And for owner Chris Hayes there was an added bonus in the latter award – as it went to his son, Oliver.

This is the latest in a long line of successes for the independent menswear store, which launched in Durham five years ago. Chris, originally from Teesside, launched Woven after decades in the clothing trade, having launched top designer store Van Mildert in 1995 with two friends.

Struggling initially to get anyone to finance the plan, Chris and his colleagues eventually got a loan from Durham Miners’ Pension Fund for £25,000 and created a business which at its height had a £7m turnover.

The company was sold in 2010 and Chris decided to concentrate on opening a dedicated menswear store.

“It’s a fantastic honour to have been given this award,” he said.

“Everyone at Woven is dedicated to providing great levels of service and in offering our customers the best in men’s designer wear and it’s very gratifying to see this recognised in this way.”

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