Uniform business marches towards growth with funding boost

A BUSINESS which provides outfits and uniforms for the Salvation Army and brass and military bands in the UK and overseas is tuning up for growth after securing a loan to help its relocation.

Martin Gernon, managing director of Mytholmroyd-based Centre Stage Uniforms, is hoping to achieve an increased turnover of more than £600,000 and profits of £120,000 this year after moving into new premises, following support from the Business Enterprise Fund.

“My background is in textiles and the business started off in a room in my house,” Gernon said.

“Now we are a market leader and employ three staff here, while the uniforms are produced in China. I got involved with BEF at a time I needed to move to larger premises. I got no support from banks and took my plans to BEF and they said ‘yes’.

Meg Heath, BEF deputy fund director, said Centre Stage Uniforms is a prime example of the sort of business needing help.

“The business has a lot of potential, but without the funding for new premises that BEF provided, it would not have been able to move forward,” she said.

“Now Centre Stage Uniforms is performing very well and exporting around the world; we’re sure the business will go from strength to strength.”