School uniform supplier in Peterborough used to lockdown to reshape top class service

Total Clothing, in Botolph Bridge Trading Estate, Oundle Road, says the Covid lockdown brought an abrupt halt to its on-demand service with a large quantity of stock already on order.

But managing director Jan Richardson said the company had used the lockdown to get the business into shape for its busy summer period ahead of the start of the new academic year for which the Government has called for all pupils to return to school full-time.

Jan said: “We worked really hard during lockdown to ensure our production staff could return back safely to prepare our logoed school clothing.

“Our peak is August, so we are busy prepping for that. We will increase our opening hours and work seven days if required to service our customers. Currently, all is working well and our turnover is as expected if not slightly up.

But she warned: “Another lockdown would prove incredibly challenging for our business which has August as its peak sales month and a back to school deadline to work towards.”

Jan said while the firm’s online service had allowed the business to quickly adapt to the lockdown the enforced closure had still been a major headache.

She said: “We hold a lot of stocks in order to provide an on demand service for parents and the lockdown halted this. We usually do pop up shops at schools in June where parents come along and can purchase uniform. All were cancelled.”

During lockdown, the shop underwent a number of changes to meet social distancing requirements and the showrooms were closed.

Jan said: “We have to size children for full uniform kit outs without them being able to try anything on.

“This was a new challenge but many of our staff with lots of experience can size by simply looking at a child.

“We have also set up an appointments system for the shop to help manage social distancing for parents and staff.

“Parents of new starters at a school were and are encouraged to book a slot where they have a one to one fitting service with a member of staff.

“Since we started back in June, we’ve had more than 500 appointments which have worked well and hopefully given the parents an excellent service.

“Parents can also drop in to buy without an appointment, which is, of course, more challenging to manage.”

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