Van Mildert continues expansion in North East
Van Mildert, the independent designer fashion chain, is expanding its portfolio of stores with a new opening in Hull this week.
The triple Drapers’ award winning brand has invested over £300,000 in a 3,000 sq ft retail space within Hull’s Princes Quay Shopping Centre.
Van Mildert is part of the Delima Retail Group, owned by Middlesbrough based brothers Eric and Cyril Williams.
With the opening of the Hull boutique, Van Mildert now has seven stores across the North East and North Yorkshire; the others being in Durham, Darlington, Metrocentre Gateshead, York and Harrogate.
It has been a successful six months for Van Mildert. The fashion retailer opened in Harrogate and launched a flagship men’s and women’s store in the Metrocentre, Gateshead just before Christmas. It was also ranked 13th in Drapers’ Top 50 Inspiring Independents list earlier this year.
Van Mildert launched in 1996 with one boutique in Durham City and has since built a reputation as a pioneering fashion retailer. Van Mildert’s expertise led to fashion great Sir Tom Hunter entering into a joint venture at the start of 2011, handing over the buying functions for Cruise Fashion Ltd to Van Mildert’s buying team.
Eric Williams said: “We’re confident we have brought something new and exciting to the city, some of the strongest and most relevant fashion collections in the world.
“Since Delima bought Van Mildert in 2007, we have reinvigorated the business and significantly grown the brand. Despite the economic climate people still want top quality brands and customer service. We are passionate about what we do, and it shows.
“It’s been an incredible six months for Van Mildert and we have ambitious plans for further expansion this year.”
