Member Article

Leading sports distributor returns to its roots

A leading retail distributor of specialist outdoor sports brands has returned to its Tyneside roots.

Allcord, a specialist in outdoor sports, climbing and mountaineering brands, left Newcastle in 2012 when the company relocated to Livingstone in Scotland.

As well as clothing and footwear, Allcord has been a major supplier of industrial safety equipment, for over 35 years. Clients include government departments, local authorities, rope access companies, activity centres, the military and other professional users.

The company was started in 1980 by former work colleagues Alan Birkmyre and Colin Westland, who spotted a gap in the market for ropes and mountaineering equipment. From its first premises in Ilford Road, Jesmond, Allcord has grown into a leading distributor in the UK and Ireland, offering a comprehensive range of climbing and outdoor equipment suitable for every kind of activity or expedition.

In 2012, Allcord began a new chapter, relocating from Newcastle to a new base with larger premises and warehousing on the edge of Livingstone, near Edinburgh, following investment by Coralinn Private Equity.

UK Sales Manager, Steve Walton explained: “We left our roots in 2012 but are delighted to have returned an element of the business to Newcastle and opened our first showroom here.

“Our new base at Hoults Yard includes a fantastic showroom facility for our customers to visit as well as an office hub. There’s a great buzz about the place and Newcastle is a great location to bring national retailers to.

“We have plans to open a network of showrooms across the UK to support our expanded base in Livingstone. Newcastle and Cork are the first locations to open but we also have a new southern base planned.

Allcord distributes a comprehensive range of sportswear and equipment to retailers across the UK and Ireland from top brands including C.A.M.P., ClimbX, Dolomite, Fizan, Tendon, TSL and Veriga as well as clothing from Icepeak, Luhta and Gramicci from its base near Edinburgh.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Julie Kemp .