Skiwear, Camping Gear & Outdoor Clothing

Skimania has opened what is widely regarded as the largest dedicated skiwear area in the North of England. Opened as part of the 14,000 sq.ft. outdoor clothing retail and internet showroom complex in Holmfirth, the new skiwear floor is completely dedicated to skiwear including ski and snowboard jackets, pants, helmets, goggles and ski clothing accessories.

The opening of the new floor gives Skimania around 2,000sq.ft of skiwear, larger than any other dedicated ski shop in the North of England. The floor is open to all Internet customers to let them browse and try on around 700 lines of ski clothing items prior to buying or ordering on line.

Skimania managing director Sara Longden commented, "it has been a long project. Since the opening of the ground floor retail area last Christmas, we have worked hard on making the Outdoormania mill one of the most prestigious outdoor showrooms anywhere in the country.

"The opening of the Skimania floor marks what is probably the most prestigious stage of development. It looks fantastic and offers something for everyone, from sub £100 beginner skiwear packages for men, women and kids to high brow, top performing jackets and pants from the likes of Salomon, Armada and Oakley. People are already telling us it's an essential destination for anyone who skis or boards and we're delighted they like it!"

The floor is open to all Internet customers and groups of skiers including schools and colleges. Experienced ski and boarding staff are on hand to advise parties on appropriate clothing depending on experience and conditions on the mountain. The whole Outdoormania complex has been designed to create a relaxed shopping atmosphere where customers can browse and chat with a cup of coffee.

The opening reflects the penultimate phase of the mill's development. There are now four floors of retail and Internet showrooms. The final phase will see a panoramic bistro style cafe on the top floor which will offer commanding views over the beautiful 'Last of the Summer Wine' countryside. The building is open to the public from 10.00am until 5.00pm seven days a week; it's difficult to miss, a large five storey mill on the right hand side of Dunford Road as when travelling into Holmfirth from the South. There's also a large free customer car park around the front of the building.

Outdoor and camping equipment internet specialist Outdoormania.co.uk has acquired new 15,000 sq. ft. premises to house its extensive online ecommerce operation.

Outdoormania, which also runs dedicated skiwear and camping websites Skimania and Campmania, has been actively seeking a suitable site to re-house its head office, to extend its Internet services and to offer a small amount of retail to existing and new customers in the region.

After nearly five years of searching, Outdoormania recently acquired the five storey building close to its present location in Holmfirth near Huddersfield. The building was a former theatre, cafe bar and restaurant owned by the former Cragrats empire.

"The building is perfect, not only to house our Internet sales businesses and customer services teams but also to extend services to Internet customers. Through the Internet, we are constantly asked by customers if they can view items or try them on. With the plans that we have for the building, we will be in a position to offer this facility whilst, at the same time, offering key service and the same great Internet prices," commented managing director Sara Longden.

Plans for the building include the formation of dedicated customer services areas, a focus on high levels of customer service and a stylish panoramic cafe bar on the top floor. Being located in the Pennine town of Holmfirth, the site is in a destination for what already attracts walkers, mountain bikers and campers, adding to the existing attraction of the surrounding beauty of the 'Last of the Summer Wine' countryside.

"We are excited by the prospects the building brings. Being a former cafe bar and restaurant, it is in excellent condition with lots of natural light and a great deal of character," added Ms. Longden. "We plan to extend our Internet customer services offerings onto the shop floor. In particular, we will concentrate on providing high levels of service to those who are new to walking, camping or skiing. We aim to guide customers though the process on a one to one basis. A service which just isn't possible over the Internet."

Also planned are links with local organisations and councils to offer weekly walks and mountain bike rides from the premises, whilst the proposed cafe will also provide a central meeting point for those pursuing outdoor activities in the area.
Outdoormania and Skimania can be contacted online at www.outdoormania.co.uk or www.skimania.co.uk or by telephone on 0870 495 5500 (normal national rates apply).