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Wick Laundry's new embroidery and printing venture set to open





Caitlin Mowat showing a shirt for the Pulteneytown People's Project Early Learning Centre.
Caitlin Mowat showing a shirt for the Pulteneytown People's Project Early Learning Centre.

A new business venture specialising in embroidery and printing for schools, clubs and workplaces will be launched in Wick this weekend after an investment of up to £70,000.

In Stitches @ Wick Laundry is located in the refurbished upstairs area of the laundry premises at The Shore. Manager Caitlin Mowat wants it to become a "one-stop school shop", with a number of advantages over buying online, and she hopes it could lead to more staff being taken on.

In Stitches will have its grand opening on Saturday, February 18, with refreshments and nibbles on offer as well as a chance to see the range of goods and take advantage of discounts.

Embroidery machines and heat-press printing machines have been installed, allowing In Stitches to produce items such as sweatshirts and polo shirts featuring school logos, sports club clothing, workwear and personalised items such as baby gifts.

School uniforms for Wick's Newton Park and Noss primaries at In Stitches @ Wick Laundry.
School uniforms for Wick's Newton Park and Noss primaries at In Stitches @ Wick Laundry.

Caitlin is a mum-of-two whose sons Thomas and Lachlan are aged six and three respectively.

“When I was looking for school uniforms, there was nowhere local at the time and I had to go online," she said. "Online buying made me think we should be doing this, so that's where it all stemmed from.

“It's so hard to know with sizing. Every different brand and company does different sizing, so I prefer being able to try on.

“The idea was to have somewhere local where you could get it from.”

On the investment into the venture, Caitlin explained: "Overall, with all the refurbishments and everything, and all the new machines and stock, it's £60,000 to £70,000 just on the In Stitches side of things. I have invested more into the laundry with new washing machines and dryers as well.

“I am very lucky that I have got a good group of friends that are all helping out and pitching in. The girls downstairs are doing extra hours, but we are hoping to take on more staff.

"We buy in the clothing and then we embroider it with anything. We'll have it on the shelf, and if not we should have it within a week.

“We've also bought a laser etcher/engraver, so we're going to be looking at doing water bottles and touristy bits and pieces as well.

“The sky's going to be the limit, I think.”

Detailed embroidery on a Keiss Primary School shirt.
Detailed embroidery on a Keiss Primary School shirt.

School uniforms are in stock for Newton Park, Noss, Keiss, Lybster, Bower, Castletown and Halkirk primaries as well as some nurseries.

“The aim is to be a one-stop school shop," Caitlin said. "We do have a few bags and plimsolls in at the moment, and pencil cases. We are looking to expand that into gym kits and everything else.

“You do find with the likes of the bigger supermarkets it's all summer and then you can't buy throughout the year. Again, that's where I struggled, especially school bags.

"The plan is the whole year round you can buy from here. Hopefully we might branch out into shoes. We've got lots of plans."

She added: "We plan to offer a recycling policy on uniforms that are returned in good condition to us. Customers will then receive a discount on new uniforms and we will have a second-hand sale rail."

Caitlin Mowat holding one of the school bags that are available from In Stitches @ Wick Laundry, with school uniforms on the shelves behind.
Caitlin Mowat holding one of the school bags that are available from In Stitches @ Wick Laundry, with school uniforms on the shelves behind.

Among the sports groups with branded items created by In Stitches are Caithness Gymnastics, the Riding for the Disabled Association and Caithness Rugby Football Club. There are also shirts marking the 100th anniversary of Caithness Young Farmers.

In Stitches has sponsored Caithness girls' rugby club polo tops and will be sponsoring Halkirk Football Club training tops.

“With Caithness rugby club we are donating so much of our profits to them from their merchandise," Caitlin said. "We'd be willing to speak to any club.

"We've been really busy – we've had a lot of businesses approach us too.”

After the official opening, In Stitches will be operating the same opening hours as Wick Laundry – Monday to Wednesday, 8am-5pm; and Thursday, 8am-11am.

Caitlin said: "We're hoping there will potentially be more hours to open it as a full-time shop, but in the meantime it'll be the laundry hours.

"I’d like to thank Lianna Bain and Tracy Bain, who work in the laundry, for being so great and backing me with this idea."

The launch event on Saturday will run from 10am until around 2pm, with sweets and juice for kids as well as prosecco for the adults.

“We're hoping to have some deals on the day," Caitlin added. “It's more about having a nice fun day and getting our name out there and having people come to see us.”

Shirts for Lybster Primary School.
Shirts for Lybster Primary School.
Caitlin showing Caithness rugby shirts featuring the club logo.
Caitlin showing Caithness rugby shirts featuring the club logo.
Halkirk Primary School clothing at In Stitches @ Wick Laundry.
Halkirk Primary School clothing at In Stitches @ Wick Laundry.

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