Sheffield costume-makers to the stars announces major expansion

A Sheffield costume-makers which has produced outfits for everyone from panto dames to the stars of Strictly Come Dancing is expanding into new, bigger premises.
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But the move means Molly Limpet’s Theatrical Emporium is saying goodbye to Woodseats, where it has been a fixture on Chesterfield Road for nearly 20 years.

The company produces bespoke costumes for TV shows, films, adverts and theatrical productions across the country, and has built up an incredible collection of 30,000 costumes all lovingly created in Sheffield by its 10-strong workforce.

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You've probably seen their handiwork showcased in Manor Operatic Society’s famous pantos at Sheffield City Hall – believed to be the biggest amateur pantomimes in the UK – whose stars it has dressed for 14 years.

Panto dame Richard Aucott with some of the costumes made by Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium (pic: Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium)Panto dame Richard Aucott with some of the costumes made by Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium (pic: Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium)
Panto dame Richard Aucott with some of the costumes made by Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium (pic: Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium)

Strictly Come Dancing fans would recognise the flamboyant costumes produced with just two days’ notice for Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell's Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat dance, while the firm’s costumes have also appeared in numerous TV adverts and in films including Get Santa, starring Jim Broadbent.

The business announced this week that its popular shop on Chesterfield Road is moving to its existing theatre department on Abbeydale Road, which is expanding by around 50 per cent to some 6,000 square feet.

Manager Nick Hedley said: “We’ll be sad to leave Woodseats after all these years but we're excited about our future and trust that trust that clients old and new will continue to be a part of our story for the next 20+ years.

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“We’re really proud as an independent business, producing every one of our costumes right here in Sheffield, that we've been able to navigate these horrendous recessions and hold our own in the face of competition from supermarkets and online retailers.”

Strictly Come Dancing finalists Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell sporting the costumes made for them by Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium (pic: Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium)Strictly Come Dancing finalists Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell sporting the costumes made for them by Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium (pic: Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium)
Strictly Come Dancing finalists Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell sporting the costumes made for them by Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium (pic: Molly Limpet's Theatrical Emporium)

While the firm does the vast bulk of its business online or by phone, it is keen to remind customers they will still be able to drop in at the new store.

There are already plans – under wraps for now – for another business to take over the Chesterfield Road unit once it closes in March, meaning it shouldn’t be empty for long.

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