BEST NEW RETAIL BUSINESS
AWARDS 2022
SPONSORED BY REDCAR | CLEVELAND AMBASSADORS
FINALIST
Grizzly Wears Clothing
Winner – That Pantry owner Steven Askham receives the Best New Retail Business from Angela Brockbank , head of new business and growth for Thirteen and chair of category sponsors , Redcar | Cleveland Ambassadors .
WINNER
That Pantry
A taste for travel and an eye for a business opportunity proved the perfect recipe for food and lifestyle store owner Steven Askham .
And his desire to bring something new to our area has now paid off handsomely in the shape of his two-year-old Saltburn business That Pantry , in Saltburn ’ s Station Street , which opened in October 2020 as an offshoot of Steven ’ s small batch artisan bakery That Cake .
Stocking highly regarded artisan food brands , That Pantry also has indoor seating where customers can enjoy tea or coffee and a sweet treat while curating a food hamper .
Steven explained That Pantry ’ s success had been down to the “ hard work of the team ” – and was initially inspired by his own travels .
He said : “ Whenever me and my wife travel , we like to try different food and go to food hall markets .
“ We wanted to bring something different to Teesside , products you would find in the high-end food halls you couldn ’ t get around here , so it was nice being able to bring that here .” Fate then intervened in the shape of an empty Victorian building . Steven explained : “ We randomly got a phone call from the estate agent saying this building had come on the market . “ It had been empty for over a year so I went to view it with my wife and it just fitted the vision , so we decided to go for it .”
Steven said the plan for next year is for further growth , and to develop the online and corporate sides of the business .
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Richard Baker , Redcar | Cleveland place marketing manager , said : “ We were delighted to sponsor the Retail category . With the challenges that the sector has experienced , we need new retailers to open and add vibrancy to town centres , and the fantastic category entrants are doing just that . But there can be only one winner - congratulations to That Pantry ! And , as they ’ re Saltburn – Redcar and Cleveland based – it ’ s even more special !”
The brainchild of Andy Ing , Grizzly Wears specialises in outdoor sportswear which is fashionable but sustainable too .
After initially making superior boxer shorts – including some made of bamboo – and following up with a range of 100 per centrecycled sportswear , Grizzly Wears is growing its product range and gaining a following . Earlier this year , it took on the challenge of National Running & Cycling shows , putting itself up against bigger , more established brands with some success .
Now it is looking towards even more events in 2023 and expanding its customer base , with several local businesses interested in selling its products .
FINALIST
JJ ’ S Sweet Surprise
A retro and American sweet shop , Jamie Johnson started JJ ’ s Sweet Surprise in a small Cleveland Centre unit before switching to the Hill Street Centre in September 2021 .
Over the last year , around 150,000 customers have been served , with a £ 650,000 turnover – all by charging low prices , and offering more than 600 sweet varieties , which sees customers return time and again .
But JJ ’ s does lots for the community too , with Middlesbrough food bank and cancer charities among those benefiting – prompting Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston to present them with a Boro Hero Award . JJ ’ s currently has 11 members of staff , all hailing from Teesside .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 123