Inov-8 are filling the news feeds this week! The Lake District sporting brand inov-8 is set to open its first store ahead of what is expected to a bumper summer in the park. See some of their recent news here.
With masses of adventure-seeking tourists set to descend on the Lake District post-lockdown and more locals than ever taking to the trails, inov-8 has moved swiftly build a new store called The Forge.
Set to open on Thursday April 15th, The Forge is located in Staveley’s popular Mill Yard, next door to inov-8’s newly refurbished offices and surrounded by fellow businesses popular with outdoor enthusiasts, such as More Bakery, Wheelbase, Wilf’s Café and Hawkshead Brewery.
Forged in the Lake District fells, inov-8 design innovative, award-winning footwear, clothing and equipment for off-road runners, hikers and gym-goers, and have been based in the Mill Yard since 2011.
The company will open the store in partnership with Pete Bland Sports. It marks yet another significant relationship milestone between inov-8 and the iconic Kendal-based running retailer, who were the first-ever to stock the brand’s shoes back in 2003.
Initially opening five days a week, from Thursdays to Mondays, The Forge will sell inov-8 branded run, hike and fitness kit for men and women.
Michael Price, COO of inov-8, who pioneer the use of Graphene – the world’s strongest material – in much of their footwear, said: “We hope The Forge will become a real hub for adventure-loving locals and tourists who enjoy running, hiking and fitness.
“As well as it being somewhere to buy kit, we want it to be a place where people can come to share in their passion for the outdoors or to seek advice. In the coming weeks, we’ll also publish details of several outstanding trail routes that runners and hikers can take from the front door of The Forge.
“Opening the new store in partnership with Pete Bland Sports feels very special. They are the leading retailer for fell and trail running in the UK and, having stood next to their team in the rain selling products at events, I’ve seen first-hand how good their customer service and relationship-building is. This is why people travel from all parts of the country to visit their store in Kendal.”
Matt Bland, Managing Director of Pete Bland Sports, said: “We started out on a journey with inov-8 back in 2003 and have worked together on many ventures over the years. This will be the biggest, but the joint teams of Pete Bland Sports and inov-8 feel we can build something special to sit alongside our store in Kendal.
“It’s a milestone for us and a positive step as the business rises once again after the latest lockdown and the events of the last year.”
Commenting further, Price added: “Coming out of lockdown, the Lake District is set for a bumper summer. We see it as a great opportunity to invest in retail, even though it comes at a time when some stores are sadly closing. inov-8 company founder Wayne Edy always encourages us as a business to carve our own path, much like fell runners do, and be brave in bucking the trend.
“By doing so we are, together with Pete Bland Sports, helping build a vibrant local economy and bringing jobs to the area. This year we have already invested in employing two young apprentices in our Staveley office and more opportunities will follow.“
And it’s not just retail and people we will focus on. Sustainability is also of paramount importance to us as a business. We have recently switched to renewable energy and have worked with the Mill Yard to have solar panels installed above the stores and office. As a team, we are all pulling together to play our part. Afterall, there is no Planet B, only Planet A.”
Find out more about inov-8 at their website here.
