History

The company was originally formed by George Whittaker in 1925 and was initially known as G & S Whittaker & Sons Ltd selling household textiles and general drapery. Trading began from their first retail premises within the market hall, later moving to new premises at Waterloo Pavilions, Church Street, in the centre of Blackburn during the 1980s. Nobody expected that they would return 30 years later to their exact same trading position in town!

As school uniform gained in popularity, Gary Whittaker took over the business and moved into premises at Ainsworth Street, next to the Market Hall where the business grew, supplying uniform and footwear for the majority of schools in Blackburn.

During 2006 the business expanded taking 1500 sq ft of retail floor space within Barden Mill, Burnley, providing the uniform needs for the areas primary and secondary schools.

In 2008 Whittaker's Schoolwear was taken over by the present Managing Director John Hutchinson and his son, Sales Director Bradley Hutchinson.

2010 saw the continued growth of the company with the acquisition of Wilkinson's of Swinton, a Manchester based retailer, providing uniform and footwear for the schools of Salford and North West Manchester. This year also saw the closure of the Ainsworth Street shop and the opening of the new flag ship store in Church Street, Blackburn, returning to the company's previous trading position. Now expanded and totally refurbished, the store produces a 21st century shopping experience for the parents and pupils of Blackburn.

The companies warehousing and office facility is based in Cleaver Street, Blackburn, which itself has recently undergone improvement and augmented capacity, in order to meet increased demands and further capability to stock a wider range of goods. These include the newly introduced range of Clark's footwear and RADA approved selection of dancewear.

The company's aims are to continue to offer a superior quality in school uniform at very competitive prices, whilst providing an excellent service for both schools and parents alike.