A new purpose built facility for one of Northumberland’s most well established businesses has been designed by the team at Shadbolt Group.
The Hardy brand which has been synonymous with Alnwick since the 1870s is a leading name in the angling industry and known around the globe for its rods, reels and fishing apparel,
Northumberland Estates and the owners of the Hardy brand, Pure Fishing, have recently unveiled plans designed by Shadbolt Group which could see significant investment in new premises, business expansion and more jobs for Alnwick.
If successful, new proposals will see the development of purpose built manufacturing facilities, as well as a showroom and retail complex.
The building is planned for land owned by Northumberland Estates and zoned for development at a site next to the Hoggs Head Inn at Cawledge, on the southern outskirts of the town. The firm said the plot is ideal for their expansion plans, being right alongside the A1. If planning permission is granted, the complex will also include a new head office for Hardys.
A spokesperson for the company said: “Hardys has been in Alnwick since the business first started as a gunsmiths back in 1872.
“The sale and manufacture of high quality fishing tackle swiftly followed, and the brand has been synonymous with the town ever since.”
Hardy is currently one of the largest employers in Alnwick with more than 100 staff working from their existing premises on the Willowburn Trading Estate.
With these facilities no longer fit for purpose, the company’s preferred option is to stay in the town, investing in bigger and better facilities at the new site.
The proposed new premises would also offer the company the potential to grow and expand, in particular the manufacturing side of the business which is currently developing new uses for its composite carbon products outside of the world of fishing.
Rory Wilson, agent with Northumberland Estates, added: “Hardys products are iconic, with the brand well known all over the world, and it is vital that this important employer remains in its home town of Alnwick.
“We are delighted to be able to assist the company in trying to achieve the new facilities they so badly need, if they are to continue to expand and thrive as a business.”
