Menswear brand Ben Sherman has made a return of sorts to Northern Ireland, with the opening of a new outlet at The Boulevard shopping complex in Banbridge.
Originally founded in 1963, the Ben Sherman name was at one time been closely interwoven with the north’s textiles industry, moving its manufacturing base to Derry in the late 1960s.
In 1993, the Belfast-based venture capital company Enterprise Equity backed a management buyout of the shirt and swimwear division of Dunkeld, which was in receivership, establishing the Lurgan-based Sherman Cooper.
At the time, the company employed 195 people in Derry and Co Armagh, making clothing under the Ben Sherman brand.
The move was also backed by 3i, which currently manages the fund that owns Belfast City Airport.
A second management buyout was further backed by 3i in 2000, before Atlanta-based Oxford Industries Inc bought it from 3i and Enterprise Equity for £80 million in 2004.
Ben Sherman is now owned by American company Marquee Brands, with BSI Apparel licensed to produce and distribute its branded products.
BSI Apparel is a subsidiary of Broadgate 1960, the parent company of Crew Clothing, Saltrock Surfwear and Pringle of Scotland.
Ben Sherman’s new store at The Boulevard is located next door to Crew Clothing.
Six new jobs have been created at the 1,314 sq ft unit.
It’s part of the brands efforts to regain a foothold in the high street.
Paul McCann, asset manager at The Boulevard’s owner, Lotus Property, said: “Ben Sherman is a fantastic addition to The Boulevard’s retail portfolio and slots in perfectly with our shopper demographic, with the menswear and sports categories consistently performing well at the scheme. We are excited to welcome Ben Sherman to The Boulevard.”
