Leeds company shares its success among businesses

Awesome Merchandise serves over 97,000 UK businesses and independent designers, including the Brudenell Social Club and the designer, Drew Millward, in Leeds.

For its fifteenth year it has developed a grant scheme, staff voucher and other initiatives, to support local independent businesses, artists and creatives.

Luke Hodson, founder of Awesome Merchandise, said: “Given the current circumstances, it felt only right to continue doing what we do best to celebrate our birthday - which is bringing together the creative communities by supporting each other.

"That’s why we’re not only launching a grant scheme during this tough time, but also incentivising our employees to get out and support fellow independent businesses in the city.”

The grant scheme, to launch in October, will split £15,000 among recipients, to create their own custom merchandise and marketing collateral.

Staff at Awesome Merchandise will also be given a £50 ‘Leeds Indie voucher’ each to spend at independent businesses including North Bar, Colours May Vary, Laynes Espresso, Bundobust and Meat Liquor.

Sarah Hardy, marketing manager at North Bar Leeds, said: “We have a long-standing relationship working with Awesome Merchandise and it’s been great to continue working together throughout Covid 19, and see them supporting our family of independent bars as we try to rebuild after being closed during lockdown.

“The independent scene in Leeds has grouped together to support each other during this pandemic, and we are really excited to continue doing so.

“It felt only right to continue doing what we do best - which is bringing together the creative communities by supporting each other”

Pulling together: Staff team at Awesome Merchandise in Leeds