After a decade of steady growth, Sheffield-based We Do Workwear has taken a major step forward with a move into new premises at Newhall Works in Attercliffe – and the family-run business is already seeing the benefits.
The independent company, which supplies branded workwear and custom clothing to businesses across the region, officially moved into its new home earlier this year after outgrowing its former base at Sheaf Bank Business Park. The new unit is almost twice the size at just under 7,000 sq ft and, crucially, has given the team space to introduce something completely new – a dedicated retail showroom.
For co-owner and director James Smith, the move had been on the radar for some time.
“We’d been looking for probably 12 months,” he tells unLTD. “There were so many boxes to tick in terms of size, location, price and whether it fitted our requirements internally with office space, production space and then the shop space, which has now added an important additional string to our bow.”
The business secured the keys in December and completed the move over the Christmas period, opening from the new premises in January.
Crucially, the extra space has also opened the door to new opportunities. At the front of the building, We Do Workwear has created a welcoming retail area where tradespeople, businesses and walk-in customers can browse products, try on clothing and get expert advice from the team.
“It’s been amazing and it’s doing really well,” says James. “We’re getting a good amount of people every day coming in wanting to try things on and make sure they’ve got the perfect fit, especially for items like boots and trousers.”
Other improvements have centred around operational efficiency. The previous site involved multiple floors and an unreliable service lift, meaning staff were regularly moving heavy boxes up and down stairs. The new layout has streamlined the entire process.
“Deliveries now come straight into the rear warehouse, get checked in and then move through production much more efficiently,” says James. “Everything just flows better. It’s quicker, more organised and far less time gets wasted.”
The ground floor showroom is proving particularly useful for local companies ordering workwear for their teams.
“We’ve got businesses now sending their employees down to try things on before placing larger orders,” he explains. “Instead of ordering 50 pairs of boots and hoping they fit, they can get it right first time.”
While retail is a new venture for the business, James says it has been an enjoyable learning curve.
“It’s definitely been a challenge because we’ve never done it before, but they’re good problems to have. It’s things like making sure everything’s priced correctly, having the right stock levels and building the right product ranges.”
They’ve also made the call to expand the brands they stock, with several new names joining the shelves in the coming months. Among them is an internationally recognised fashion and footwear brand (currently under wraps), which has selected We Do Workwear as one of only 12 UK stockists for a new product range launching this summer.
For James, it reflects changing attitudes towards workwear, particularly among younger customers looking for products that combine comfort, safety and style.
“You’re seeing more people wanting workwear that feels good and looks good as well,” he says. “Some tradespeople might finish work and head to the pub or out somewhere after, so they want something comfortable they can keep on.”
The move also marks a wider shift in ambition for the company as it continues to grow both online and in-store.
“Overall, this gives us room to support more customers, hold more stock and improve what we offer. We want to keep developing the website and things like click-and-collect too, so customers can order online and pick up in-store when it suits them.”
A few months in, he says the team already feels confident they made the right decision.
“We didn’t realise quite how well the shop side would do, but it’s brought in completely new customers for us. Having a ground-floor premises where people can walk in has made such a difference.”
And while the business continues to evolve, James says the core focus remains the same – helping local businesses find the right workwear solutions.
“There’s nowhere else in Sheffield where you can come into a dedicated workwear showroom, try things on properly and get advice from people who know the products. That’s what we want people to know. So if you’re sorting workwear for your team, come down and see us.”
We Do Workwear
Unit 5, Newhall Works, Newhall Rd, Attercliffe, Sheffield S9 2QL
