Two new outdoor stores are set to open in Keswick this spring in redundant town centre premises.
Ellis Brigham and Montbell will throw open their doors to shoppers in May creating 18 full and part-time positions.
Japanese brand Montbell is distributed in the UK by a subsidiary company of the Salford-based Ellis Brigham group – Wisdom & Effort – and is looking to make for a new shopping experience in the former Barclays Bank, which closed in April 2023, on the town’s high street.
Ellis Brigham, an independent family owned and run outdoor retailer, is taking over the premises of the former John Young & Son furniture shop in Kings Head Court which closed in February 2024. The 5,000 square foot store is set to open with a weekend of free activities including gear repairs, talks, guided hikes and trail runs.
Director Mark Brigham says Ellis Brigham has built an enviable reputation over the last 90 years for offering trustworthy advice and authentic outdoor gear to like-minded people who share their passion for climbing, running or hiking.
“Keswick has been at the top of our location wish list for many years,” he said. “It’s a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and that’s where we are most at home. We are delighted to join the other independent stores in the area to help even more people enjoy the hills and mountains safely.
“We will add our own unique mix of products and brands along with regular demo events and evening talks to support the aspirations of visitors and locals alike.”
“We will offer an even greater choice of premium products and services to support the aspirations of visitors and locals backed up by our satisfaction guarantee.”
Montbell was founded in 1975 by renowned climber Isamu Tatsuno in Osaka, Japan. Over the years it has earned a reputation for unique and innovative clothing using highly technical materials shaped by the mantra “light and fast” and “function is beauty”.
It currently makes more than 4,500 original products and the brand has also expanded into the fields of organising outdoor events, travel, outdoor and recreational insurance. Its mission statements are targeted towards areas that help to cultivate respect for Mother Nature, revive communities via eco-tourism and implement life skills through experiencing the outdoors.
Mr Brigham, whose earliest and fondest memories of Keswick was travelling up from Manchester to climb Catbells with his father, aged five, and afterwards visiting Bryson’s tea rooms, added: “Both stores want to contribute to the local community and become a part of the fabric that makes Keswick such a fantastic place to live and work.”
