Business Profile | Clarkes of Walsham
In fact the store prides itself on being able to supply the ammunition for any sort of country firearm, whether you are shooting clays for sport or rabbits or game. With 16 lorries out every day delivering across the East of England getting gun supplies to the door is not a problem. Clarkes, which is run by Harvey Clarke (pictured right), started the move towards new product lines back in 2008. The company chairman, Barry Clarke enjoyed shooting as a hobby and after taking over a local cartridge supply company launched a gun section in what was then the onsite country furniture store. Financial Director Richard Balls says, “Being a country area where a lot of people shoot for sport we were lucky to find two members of staff who had real expertise in the area which meant that we didn’t have to employ anyone new.” It immediately took off because heavy items like clays can be purchased in bulk and delivered direct. Their next move was to stock a basic range of shooting clothing and then expand into the quality end of the market with brands like Barbour. Things just seemed to go from there – customers loved it, especially those who were calling in person for timber supplies because it meant they could shop for the outdoor clothes they needed without having to take on a full scale shopping expedition into town. With the shooting side of the shop fully equipped Clarkes then decided to expand into equestrian sports and the more outdoor side of the fashion industry. Horse riders can now come to Clarkes for all they need including rugs, bedding, feed, tack, clothing and there’s a great range of hats as well as body protectors which are fitted by trained staff. It’s become so popular that garden furniture is now stored in an entirely different building to create room for a specialised clothing shop. What they’ve created is a really relaxed shopping area, complete with comfortable changing rooms and staff that provide expert customer service. It’s not just the shoppers that have been impressed, Clarkes has won over some of the most prestigious labels in the sector. “Once these brands came out here and saw our vision they all came on board pretty quickly,” said Richard.
As a result Clarkes now has a really wide range of up-market labels including Barbour, Musto, Joules, North Face and Le Chameau. The latest exclusive brand, and one which they are really proud to have won, is Schoffel – they are one of only three stockists in the area. “We are their first customer in Suffolk that’s not a high street store and we’ll be stocking their main range too,” said Richard. It’s been so successful that Clarkes has now even started doing country shows including Suffolk, Norfolk and Sandringham and the response has been fantastic. “People come and look out for us because they know what we stock and know we will be there,” he added. Of course for customers who can’t get
to Walsham-le-Willows in person there’s always the opportunity to buy direct on the website.
INFORMATION Clarkes of Walsham The Street, Walsham-le-Willows, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 3BA T: 01359 259 259 www.clarkesofwalsham.co.uk
Places&Faces® Issue_30_b.indd 31
31
19/09/2013 10:32