A TOP-END outdoor gear and clothing company is expanding its operation into Northwich, and they’re recruiting.

High-performance British outdoor brand, Rab, is opening a new service centre on Winnington Business Park in the coming weeks, offering a full customer-facing aftercare service for its range of products.

Globally respected, Rab has been offering aftercare services since the 1980s, giving customers the chance to maintain and extend the life of their outdoor kit, including structural repairs, reproofing, and washing tricky- to-clean down jackets. 

This recent expansion grows their existing global service centre network, which also includes sites in Derbyshire, the Netherlands, Canada, and the USA.

The new Northwich site will also include a Mountain Outfitters retail outlet store, a Rab sister company, which will sell upcycled products including unique second-stitch repairs, alongside season samples and end-of-line products.

Recruitment for seamstresses and part-time retail assistants is currently underway. Enquiries should be directed to recruitment@equipuk.com.

The new Winnington Rab service centre will offer repairs, washing, and reproofing service for its customersThe new Winnington Rab service centre will offer repairs, washing, and reproofing service for its customers (Image: Rab)

Matt Clarke, head of customer experience for the brands, said: “We’re really excited about the expansion of our Rab service centre offer into Northwich.

“We chose the town because of how accessible it is, and it being such an up-and-coming area.

“We didn’t want to locate in a retail-specific location, but we do want to attract and support a local customer base, which may not otherwise have heard of the brand."

The company repaired and washed more than 20,000 items through its global service centre network in 2023, which they say is ‘clear proof’ customers prefer a quality repair over a new warranty replacement.

They also say making and using outdoor clothing which lasts longer also helps to cut down on unnecessary textile waste.

Matt added: “Service centres are an integral part of our ambitious sustainability strategy, as it helps to keep gear longer in action and thus reduce waste.

“We are pleased to see the service is now also easily accessible to those further afield from Derbyshire, enabling them to self-serve and look after their kit.”