Indie retailer that 'evolved from sportswear to fashion' celebrating 70 years on the high street

Independent fashion retailer Hurleys, a long-standing Bira member, is marking an impressive 70 years on the high street this month with a special celebration at its flagship Middlebrook store in Bolton.

The family-run business, founded in 1955 by Ron and Eileen Hurley, began as Manchester’s original sports shop in Piccadilly, famous for queues around the block and customers travelling from across the UK for exclusive stock, with the shop gradually evolving from scuba gear and footbal shirts into a leading branded fashion retailer as demand for premium sportswear labels grew.

General Manager Jess Pizzey said: “People used to travel from all over the UK such as Glasgow, Stoke and London to come to our store as it had such a reputation and stock that they couldn't get anywhere else and we were always the first to get the next big brand.”

At its peak, Hurleys operated 16 stores across the North West, including Lacoste and Henri Lloyd franchises in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, and even ran a restaurant, Fat Pigs Continental, in Eccles, once voted among the world’s top 100 designed restaurants.

After the 2008 banking crisis, the business refocused on its flagship Middlebrook store and growing online platform, cementing its position as one of the North West’s leading independent branded fashion retailers.

Today, Hurleys stocks leading names such as Vivienne Westwood, Barbour, Belstaff, Ugg, Hugo Boss and more, supported by a loyalty scheme boasting over 60,000 members, with the high street business still run by Mark Hurley and his daughters Jess and Tara as the business remains proud of its heritage and independent roots.

To celebrate its milestone, Hurleys is holding a Mid Season Sale from Thursday 23 October to Monday 10 November, followed by a 70th Anniversary Event from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November at its Middlebrook store.

The celebration weekend will feature major giveaways from top brands including Parajumpers, UBR, French Connection, Hugo Boss and Holland Cooper, alongside special offers in store and online at www.hurleys.co.uk.