Images Costumes
23 May 2024
Sector: Dance Wear Manufacturing
Location: Chesterfield
Images Costumes is a Chesterfield-based business, designing and manufacturing bespoke dancewear and logo uniforms.
They are also a Lycra fabric specialist retailer. The company began in 2005 and today with 10 employees, they can make any of their costume designs in any fabric combination, to suit the customer's requirements. Costumes are supplied throughout the UK and overseas.
Challenges faced
Like most businesses, Images Costume has faced rising costs in recent years. The company is still dealing with the fallout of Brexit and Covid-19. On top of that, the cost-of-living crisis has brought further price increases which have negatively impacted the business, particularly around reinvesting in staff and updating technology.
Solution and Impact
Managing Director Michelle Webb is working with Peter Lawrence, Business Adviser on the Accelerator project to support business growth and the future sustainability of the business.
Some of the company’s systems needed updating and they identified that a new CAD system and software would improve pattern efficiency and development. Michelle was referred to the Made Smarter East Midlands digital adaption programme, and with guidance from Peter and Made Smarter Digital Transformation Specialist, Prashant Gandabhai on the application process, the business was successfully awarded an £8,300 grant to purchase the CAD new system.
Image Costume’s website and eCommerce platforms also needed a revamp enabling them to make content changes themselves, save on costs and enhance global sales. They are working with Chesterfield Borough Council towards funding for this.
In addition, the business also hopes to reduce its energy consumption, reduce costs and improve efficiency through a funded energy audit.
The new CAD design system means a streamlining of the business’s processes. It will allow Images Costumes to be more competitive offering a larger range of designs and sizes that are relevant and up to date. With this advantage, it will safeguard and create new jobs.
They are also investing in staff training for the new system and their improved eCommerce platform will enable them to expand into new markets.
“The support we received from the advisers on the grant project was key to the success of the funding application.
Small businesses like ours don’t have dedicated procurement departments so their expert knowledge and experience was invaluable. In addition, they were able to bring additional areas of support to our attention, such as the energy audit, which we might otherwise have missed. It was exactly what was needed!”
- Michelle Webb, Managing Director
This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council.
