A school uniform supplier in Cornwall has linked up with Dragons’ Den favourite Churchill Gowns to supply university graduation gowns made from recycled plastic.
already supplies uniforms for secondary and primary schools, and Guides and Brownies, across Devon and Cornwall.
Following meetings with Churchill Gowns’ founders Oliver Adkins and Ruth Nicholls it is now an “ambassador” for the company and is selling gowns and mortarboards for graduates of seven South West universities.
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was a success on the hit BBC TV show Dragons’ Den in 2019 and received investment from “dragon” Deborah Meaden.
The deal with Saltash Uniforms was set up before the coronavirus pandemic struck the 海角视频, but has only just become operational.
It was brokered, over meetings in London in early 2020, by Mr Adkins and Ms Nicholls and Saltash Uniforms’ owner Marilyn Grose and Plymouth business campaigner and consultant Steve Whiteway.
Mr Whiteway died from pancreatic cancer in October, and the successful deal is being seen as a tribute to his keen business acumen and commitment to protecting the environment.
“Following several meetings and discussions with my lifelong friend and eco whizz Steve, he and I were delighted to be able to meet Ollie in London in January of this year,” said Ms Grose.
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“This meeting led to an agreement for us to become South West ambassadors for Churchill Gowns promoting and selling the range of products for seven universities across the South West namely Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Gloucester, Marjon, Plymouth and Swansea.”
Mr Adkins added: “Steve's commitment to sustainability was really inspiring and it was an honour for us to have him as such an advocate for Churchill Gowns.”
The deal’s inception stems from August 2019 when Ms Grose saw University of Cambridge graduates Mr Adkins and Ms Nicholls reveal on TV how they had partnered with a start-up in Australia to offer a simple online ordering process and home delivery model for university graduation gowns.
Ms Grose said she was also impressed by the ethical credentials of the business, with the gowns, available to hire or buy, made from recycled plastic.
“On hearing their story, I was particularly interested because I have a costume hire business in Saltash and nearly four years ago I also took over a uniform business that had been operating alongside another business in Saltash town centre for several years,” Ms Grose said.
“Having hired costumes for theatre and fancy dress, I fully understood the hire market and, since taking on the uniforms, I have been promoting and selling ‘eco’ uniforms.
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“The blazers, in particular, are extremely popular being made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. More ‘eco’ garments are regularly being introduced into our range for school and workwear.”
She added: “Oliver and Ruth were looking for ways to take their business to the next level. They had had an enthusiastic response from students and were keen to expand their range to include more universities, which meant investment in new stock was needed.
“As a small local business, Saltash Uniforms is thrilled to be working with Churchill Gowns and we look forward to sharing this exciting news and bringing a much-needed boost to the economy in the South West.”
She added: “Needless to say, Covid has caused a bit of delay in getting things off the ground but now the universities have returned we hope to spread the word and create interest and sales in the wide range of products.
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“One of the most popular this year has been the DIY Home Graduation in a Box which includes everything you need to celebrate graduation at home and capture those all-important photographs.
“Each box contains a gown and mortarboard cap with a hood in a choice of 海角视频 universities or colours, a cream scroll paper and ribbon, decorative graduation bunting and black and gold balloons so you can get the perfect graduation photos.
“It also includes a box of celebration chocolates and a cute graduation teddy bear, as commemorative gifts for the graduating student.
“The university-specific items are also tailored to the design requirements for your ceremony, so can be worn again if you attend a graduation at a later date.”
In October,.
Mr Whiteway, a director of Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, had helped raise more than £750,000 for charitable causes, winning many prestigious accolades, including the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award, for his endeavours over decades.
The locomotive was emblazoned with the message: “Steve Whteway, volunteering and serving the Plymouth community for over 50 years”.
Mr Whiteway was able to leave his hospital bed to view the engine, at Plymouth station, with friends and family and members of Plymouth’s business community, all socially distanced.
The following day he died after a valiant battle against cancer with tributes pouring in from across the regional business community.