York-based footwear company Pavers has submitted plans for a multi-million-pound expansion at its headquarters.
The company hopes to gain planning permission for a warehouse extension on land west of its existing site at Northminster Business Park, creating more than 100 jobs.
The family owned-and-run business has grown from its York base to become one of the country’s leading shoe retailers.
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It was established by Catherine Paver in 1971, initially by organising shoe parties with clearance stock from shoe catalogues.
The first shop was opened in Scarborough, along with stores in York and Hull.
Recent growth includes expansion of its retail portfolio to more than 180 stores, acquisitions of businesses, and an increase in online sales of over 700 per cent in the last three years.
The Northminster Business Park base is full to capacity and the company is using third party storage off site.
With anticipated growth to over 250 stores and a rapidly expanding digital presence, its storage requirements are expected to double over the next five years.
Lots of new jobs
Pavers also owns the Jones Bootmaker and Herring Shoes footwear businesses.
Jim Young, head of facilities at Pavers, said: “The rapid growth we are predicting means that we need to plan for more space to fully utilise our modern facilities in York.
“This is being driven by our increasing digital operations that require more storage and distribution space, along with the staff to manage these operations successfully.
“As a proud York-based company we have chosen to invest in this site, rather than looking elsewhere for new facilities.
“Our physical expansion plans will be an investment in York’s economy and bring further jobs to the area.”
Pavers is a major York employer, with 270 office and warehouse staff on the books at its headquarters.
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The proposed expansion is predicted to bring this number to 400 staff in the York area within five years, and more than 2,000 nationally.
The company is expected to post a turnover of over £200 million in 2022, increased from £110m in 2018.
A decision is expected on the planning application by City of York Council in the coming months.