Global fancy dress business opens doors of its new 13,000 sq ft premises

A global, family-owned fancy dress business which ships more than 26 millions items across worldwide each year, has moved into its new 13,000 sq ft Yorkshire base.

Many of Smiffys’ new costumes are designed and marketed at the Leeds base, which is now at London House on Central Park.

Smiffys, which was founded in 1894, has a 5,000 product base which includes popular characters and brands such as Elvis Presley, Marylin Monroe and Angry Birds, as well as wigs, theatrical make up and accessories.

The two-storey building was space-planned and designed for efficient working and also fitted by Yorkshire workplace designers Ben Johnson Interiors.  Sophie Peckett Designs, who has worked with Smiffys for many years on their brand, completed the interior finishes, including colour palettes and wallpaper choices.

The new interior now includes workstations for 100 people, a bistro-style communal eating area, juice bar, private areas, event space, a library and breakout zones for meetings. Around half of the ground floor of the new workplace is used for merchandising and product display and it also houses the boardroom.

The flexibility of the interior design means that Smiffys can now also use this area as an exhibition space for big events and pitches if necessary.

Emma Dodsley from Ben Johnson Interiors said: “We worked closely with Smiffys to understand exactly what their ideal working environment would be, and we have now delivered a vibrant, bespoke workspace for them which will not only impress and uplift staff and visitors but also speed up operations and improve communications and productivity.”

Smiffys are particularly concerned for the wellbeing of their workforce and therefore an informal breakout area was included on the first floor, as well as a large, communal “town hall” and event space on the ground floor.

Director of Smiffys, Dominique Peckett, said: “We love our colourful new workplace – not only for its fun appearance, but also because the new layout and efficient use of space makes our work much easier.”

The move by Smiffys to Central Park, owned by office fund Squarestone Growth, was brokered by the Leeds office of property consultancy Knight Frank. Sam Jamieson of Knight Frank said: “Central Park in Leeds is becoming increasingly popular, given its location close to the station and its easy accessibility to the A1 and M1.”