Fan merchandise supplier to employ 100 workers at new base

A global supplier of posters and pop culture merchandise has moved to Barnsley in a bid to “dramatically” increase sales within the UK market.

GB eye, part of the Abysse Corp Group, is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of posters, prints, tableware, clothing and collectables which celebrate everything from Peaky Blinders to Pokemon; and Rick and Morty to the Rolling Stones.

The company has taken on a 78,000 sq ft purpose-built manufacturing and distribution unit at Enterprise 36, Tankersley.

From here, it plans to expand operations to meet rising demand for its products across the UK and as far afield as Australia, Japan, the USA and Russia.

Established in Sheffield in 1986, GB eye will retain its existing Parkwood industrial estate base but concentrate growth in Barnsley.

In the coming months, it will also bring production to the Barnsley site with the manufacturing of posters, mugs, mouse mats and T-shirts, to further reduce reliance on supply chains.

Managing director Steven Birks said: “We’ve expanded into Barnsley to maximise the opportunity for growth.

“This is a superior location for distribution and the large ready-made pick and pack facility is perfectly designed to allow us to produce and store more stock and turn around orders much faster. We look forward to increasing sales dramatically.”

GB eye became the UK arm of the European Abysse Corp Group last year.

Abysse Corp has seen consistent double-digit growth in global sales over the last four years and aims to achieve a significant increase in turnover this year.

Birks added: “The market for fan merchandise is currently very strong as more people, young and old, seek to surround themselves with wall art and merchandise that celebrates their interests and passions and reflects who they are.

“Now we have moved, we are in an excellent position to scale-up production, sales and distribution to meet demand.”

GB eye has created 15 new jobs in Tankersley since it moved in three months ago and, once it is fully operational, expects to employ up to 100 people there.

While specific teams will move from the company’s existing Sheffield premises, the business anticipates it will recruit to an additional 35 posts in sales, ecommerce, manufacturing and warehouse work.

Enterprise 36 business park was developed by Wilton Developments following investment from Barnsley Council through its Property Investment Fund.

The unit occupied by GB eye is owned by clients of CBRE Investment Management and CBRE and CPP advised the landlord on the letting.

Councillor Tim Cheetham, Barnsley’s cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “We backed this speculative development at Enterprise 36 because we knew it would be a real asset to the borough and would help us achieve our ambition to make Barnsley a destination of choice for companies with national and international reach.”

Enterprising Barnsley, the business support arm of Barnsley Council, has also helped GB eye move to the borough, make connections with local suppliers and recruit to its vacancies.