Taylor Made Designs (TMD) are delighted to announce the acquisition of Blu Leisure. The move sees TMD, already one of the UK’s leading suppliers of bespoke corporate uniforms and merchandise, add a leisure retail element to its service offer, creating a complete one stop shop service for leisure, spa and hospitality operators.
Since it was established by Jackie Worrell in 2004, Blu Leisure has been providing bespoke uniforms as well as high quality Blu branded retail apparel and merchandise to clients both in the UK and overseas. Its current client portfolio, which includes big UK brand names such as the Bannatyne Group, Freedom Leisure and Everyone Active, is made up of a mix of leisure, spa, hotel and gym operators. The company also offers a range of corporate branded merchandise.
10 years ago, Vicki Peck joined Blu Leisure as Managing Director, a role she retains today. Together, with Jackie in the role of CEO and Vicki, they have grown and sustained the business based on a foundation of quality products backed by a superlative customer service, highly competitive pricing and a professional, flexible approach to stock purchasing and management. Pre- Covid, the company was turning over in excess of £1.2m.
Speaking of the acquisition, James Taylor, Founder and MD of TMD, says: “I am delighted both Jackie and Vicki will remain in the business to focus on driving all areas of Blu Leisure as well as promoting our Swim & Fitness retail offering. Although, officially, TMD has acquired Blu Leisure, we will continue to operate and manage both businesses as separate entities, whilst taking full advantage of obvious operational efficiencies and opportunities presented by being able to build and nurture complementary client portfolios. The two brands share the same customer-centric values, and I am incredibly excited by the new opportunities this brand and skill acquisition will deliver both for TMD and our clients.”
“TMD has been providing corporate uniforms and merchandise to leisure organisations across the UK and around the world for more than 27 years, but we have never before been presented with a viable opportunity to incorporate a retail range. This now changes with the onboarding of Blu Leisure and opens the door to a whole new market.”
James Taylor will continue in his role as MD at TMD, Vicki will remain MD of Blu, overseeing the day-to-day operation and growth of Blu Leisure, whilst Jackie will remain with the business for the next 12 months, then move into a consultancy role.