eBusiness UK builds new website for iconic Blackburn textiles firm

An iconic firm which has been supplying textiles for nearly a century is looking to the future with its all-new website.

The project brings together two Blackburn-based family businesses, with Whittakers commissioning the new site from web development specialist eBusiness UK.

The business began life on Blackburn market with George Whittaker establishing G&S Whittaker & Sons to sell household textiles and general drapery.

Evolving to meet customer demand over the decades, Whittakers later became one of the main school uniform suppliers in the town.

The business now specialises in embroidered and printed uniforms, workwear and leisurewear, with customers ranging from the self-employed all the way through to Arsenal Football Club.

All designing, embroidering and printing is undertaken in-house and for 20 years the company has been taking online orders. However, the existing website was beginning to look dated and wasn’t keeping pace with modern technology.

David Duckworth, Whittaker’s general manager, explained: “Our current website unfortunately just wasn’t performing for us and had many ‘bugs’ preventing users from making purchases, which was no doubt putting potential new customers off.”

The new website will be developed by eBusiness UK, employing 25 years of experience and expertise to build on Whittaker’s strong position in the market.

In tandem with a social media campaign, the new site will drive up traffic, improve the conversion rate to achieve higher sales, and ultimately achieve greater revenues.

David added: “We’re looking forward to working with eBusiness UK on the project. They have demonstrated a great understanding of our business and we have full confidence that the team can help us achieve our goals going forward.”

Latif Kothia, eBusiness UK director, said: “Whittakers is a well-respected Blackburn business and we’re excited to have the chance to help push them to the next level.

“Technology continues to move at great pace and websites that were once at the leading edge can soon become dated, start causing problems and ultimately see organisations losing ground to competitors.

“This new website will put Whittakers back at the forefront and will truly reflect the heritage, innovation, quality and customer service that has seen them become a market leader.”