Hartlepool vintage clothing startup wins approval from Tees Valley Mayor

The Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, has offered help for vintage clothing firm, Atik Vintage.

Based at Hartlepool Business Centre, the brand is the brainchild of two former Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) students, Robin Page and Tom Townsend.

Atik Vintage primarily began online; the duo would sell clothes on eBay whilst studying at the Middlesbrough-based college. When they graduated, Robin and Tom decided to turn their hobby into a business.

Houchen said: “At a time when there is a real drive to get young people into employment, Tom and Robin have taken it upon themselves to identify a brilliant business idea and capitalise on all of the opportunities available to them.

“Their business is going from strength to strength and they are an inspiration to everyone – young and old – in Tees Valley. They show that with enough grit, determination and novel thinking, you can succeed at something you love.

“I’m proud they have made their home in Tees Valley.”

Atik now has a store on Depop, a buying and selling platform, where it has taken on millions of sellers to be ranked in the site’s top 10 traders around the world.

Not only this but celebrities including Georgia Toffolo, from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! to Jake Sims have purchased products.

During his visit, Ben Houchen heard the pair outline their plans for the future, including pop-up shops in major cities around the world.

Atik’s owners, Tom and Robin, added: “It was a pleasure to meet the Mayor and talk to him about our business and what we hope to achieve in the future.

“We always try to get ahead of the curve and are constantly on the lookout for the next big trend in vintage clothing or nostalgic items.

“We have even made Robin’s graphic design company part of the Atik brand to diversify but are committed to growing the store more and more. We love it.

“While we’re hoping to just keep getting bigger and bigger, Tees Valley is our home and Atik isn’t planning on going anywhere else any time soon.”

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