Fancy dress firm puts on a big show with latest expansion

A Worcestershire fancy dress company has expanded to eight times its previous size whilst remaining at its original home.

Global costume retailer, Fancy Dress Worldwide, first leased a 700 sq ft unit at Shrub Hill Industrial Estate in Worcester when the company was founded three years ago.

The specialist fancy dress outlet quickly outgrew the space and took on a larger unit of 1,749 sq ft last year.

Further rapid expansion has now seen the firm take a new five-year lease on a unit of 14,669 sq ft – more than eight times the size of their previous space.

Fancy Dress Worldwide now trades with over 150,000 customers in more than 40 countries. The latest expansion will create up to 50 new jobs in the area.

Jonathan Green, Director of Asset Management at site owner St. Modwen, said: “The expansion and relocation of Fancy Dress World Wide twice within twelve months evidences the flexible approach we have and our commitment to listening to our occupiers in finding space that is right for them – and in this case, facilitating the rapid growth of a local business.

“Shrub Hill Industrial Estate is one of the longest held properties in our portfolio, and one which continues to attract new and existing occupiers, solidifying the demand for space in the region.”

Dominic Portman, owner of Fancy Dress Worldwide, said: “The business has grown rapidly in the past few years and we’ve been lucky to lease bigger units on the same industrial estate. The new unit will enable us to expand in line with our growth and will provide a central hub for our international operations.”

Situated next to Worcester Shrub Hill train station, Shrub Hill Industrial Estate extends to more than 275,000 sq ft of retail, office, leisure and industrial space.