Fan merchandise firm GB Eye expects to employ 100 people in Barnsley as it eyes worldwide expansion

GB eye, part of the Abysse Corp Group, is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of posters, prints, tableware, clothing and collectables which celebrate everything from Peaky Blinders to Pokemon; and Rick and Morty to the Rolling Stones.

The company has taken on a new 78,000 square foot purpose-built manufacturing and distribution unit at Enterprise 36, Tankersley at Junction 36 of the M1. From here, it plans to expand operations to meet growing demand for its products across the UK and as far afield as Australia, Japan, the USA and Russia.

GB eye has created 15 new jobs in Tankersley since it moved in three months ago and, once it is fully operational, expects to employ up to 100 people on this site. Specific teams will move from its existing Sheffield premises, but it anticipates it will recruit to an additional 35 posts in sales, ecommerce, manufacturing and warehouse work over the next 12 months.

In the coming months, it will also bring production to this Barnsley site with the manufacturing of posters, mugs, mouse mats and T-shirts, to further reduce the company’s reliance on supply chains.

GB eye managing director Steven Birks said: “We’ve expanded into Barnsley to maximise the opportunity for growth. This is a superior location for distribution and the large ready-made pick and pack facility is perfectly designed to allow us to produce and store more stock and turn around orders much faster. We look forward to increasing sales dramatically.”

GB eye became the UK arm of the European Abysse Corp Group last year and Abysse has backed the company’s expansion in Barnsley, to strengthen the group’s reach in the UK market. GB eye is a market leader in the UK with long-standing trade relationships with major retailers including Asda, Menkind, Game, HMV, Tesco, Argos, Smyths Toys and many more.

Abysse Corp has seen consistent double-digit growth in global sales over the last four years and aims to achieve a significant increase in turnover this year.

Steven said: “The market for fan merchandise is currently very strong as more people, young and old, seek to surround themselves with wall art and merchandise that celebrates their interests and passions and reflects who they are.

“Now we have moved, we are in an excellent position to scale-up production, sales and distribution to meet this growing demand.”

Enterprise 36 business park was developed by Wilton Developments following investment from Barnsley Council through their Property Investment Fund. The unit occupied by GB eye is owned by clients of CBRE Investment Management and CBRE and CPP advised the landlord on the letting. GB eye’s neighbours include Dura-ID, Universal Sealants (UK) and William Rowland.

Councillor Tim Cheetham, Barnsley’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We backed this speculative development at Enterprise 36, alongside the M1 corridor, because we knew it would be a real asset to the borough and would help us achieve our ambition to make Barnsley a destination of choice for companies with national and international reach.

“We are delighted to welcome GB eye as a key occupier on site bringing new opportunities and jobs to the borough.”

Enterprising Barnsley has also helped GB eye move to the borough, make connections with local suppliers and recruit to its vacancies.

Steven said: “The Enterprising Barnsley team has been great and we appreciate the support they’ve given us to establish ourselves here.”

Enterprising Barnsley, the business support arm of Barnsley Council, aims to attract new businesses to invest in the borough and help new and existing businesses develop and expand; generating economic growth and creating jobs.