Joseph Turner now makes one for the ladies

Thirsk-based Joseph Turner, which was founded by managing director Chris Legard in 1997 and recorded a turnover of £5m in its latest financial year, employs around 25 people, but looks set to recruit further thanks to the launch of its new collection.

The company said its turnover has grown on average 15 per cent year-on-year since it was established and said it is profitable.

Mr Legard said: “This collection has been in development for almost two years and we have spent a lot of time talking to our female customers to make sure that we understand exactly what they are looking for.

“We have also gone into painstaking detail in terms of design, cut and fabric quality as we are well aware how demanding our target market is and I want to be absolutely certain that we meet, or even exceed, their expectations the first time of asking.”

He added: “We already have directly as a result of womenswear created four to five jobs that would not otherwise have been created.” The number of extra jobs Joseph Turner will create in the future will depend on the success of the womenswear collection, he added.

The improved exchange rates and increasing costs in the Far East has enabled Joseph Turner to source much of its womenswear collection from the UK, said Mr Legard.

He said the idea for expansion into the womenswear sector was driven by customer demand.

“We have over 50,000 ladies on our database who buy clothes for the men in their lives and barely a day goes by without one of them calling us and asking ‘when will we do clothes for ladies?’ They understand the Joseph Turner brand, they know the quality standards we live and breathe by – and I’m flattered and excited that they want some of that for themselves”

Joseph Turner, whose customer base predominantly lies in the 40-70 age range, recently moved to new, larger premises in Thirsk, having been previously based in outbuildings at Mr Legard’s home.

Mr Legard, who is the majority shareholder in the business, said: “This last 18 months we have invested a huge amount in the ladieswear collection and on top of that we have hired quite a lot of staff to develop and create the range.

“We have a brand new computer system which was a very significant investment for us and a brand new website.”

The firm also recently opened a new factory outlet store in Thirsk, replacing a smaller one which was at its former premises. The company, which sells to consumers via its catalogue and website, has no immediate plans to open other retail outlets, said Mr Legard.