News
Helping Our Young People Step into Their Futures
I’ve been thinking about work recently- perhaps not surprising as suppliers of tunics, trousers, work and protective wear. How lovely then to bookend this month with Bank Holidays; in fact, the recent May Day coincides in many countries with the celebration of International Workers’ Day. Learning at Work Week, 13th – 19th May, highlights the benefits of lifelong learning and development, and building such cultures in the workplace. It doesn’t mean pressure to go for every promotion, but having the opportunity to learn new skills can be hugely enriching to our personal as well as work satisfaction. Moving from the familiarity of school to the big wide world of work can be a daunting step. Work experience, which many schools are now finalising for this term’s participants, can help with decisions and next steps, and we at UAL love joining in whenever possible. We’ve got students joining us in the next few weeks from local high schools in our Lancaster shop, as well as here at Head Office in Morecambe. Heading into our busy summer months, as preparations begin for the next school year (I know – time flies!), we take on temporary staff across the business, making this a lovely, vibrant time for us. The absorption of our Morecambe stock and store manager into our Lancaster branch has also been completed, the first floor is redecorated and fully stocked with high school uniforms and we’ve also made amendments to our website make it easier to order at your leisure. Morecambe uniforms are now in a new box: “Lancaster and Morecambe”, and you can use our new “Search by School” feature to quickly and easily find any one of the hundreds of schools we supply. Don’t forget we now offer delivery of online uniform orders to schools during term time, and have lowered the minimum spend for free home delivery to £50 on all orders, from customised workwear to team sports gear. News for Facebook fans: the Morecambe page is no longer updated, so move over to our Lancaster shop https://www.facebook.com/UniformLeisurewearLancaster or our Head Office page https://www.facebook.com/Uniformco to be kept up to date with all our latest offers and news. This term means exams for many young people. We know that time away from screens, outdoors if possible, is hugely beneficial to mental as well as physical health, so it’s great that many schools now include walking, exploring and local geography in their curriculum. From little ones up, hi-vis tape and tabards (which can be personalised to schools or clubs) can help keep them visible and safe. Enjoy the sunshine! Vicki x
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June, Fish & Chips, Long Summer Walks and the Madness of Back To School
Hello from Vic & Stella Stella & I would like to tell you of our recent adventure. As most of you know we’ve had a bad time recently, but in the true style of UAL we won’t be beaten!! Therefore, off we went walking and camping. Fully equipped in Hi-Tech boots, walking socks, leggings, base layers and waterproofs – all available from our shops; off we went walking around Ingleton and the surrounding area; and yes, we did climb Ingleborough! Of course, Stella was also prepared with reflective collar, water-bottle and bowl, again all available from UAL shops (we can’t have the MD getting dehydrated or lost on the fells). Getting outdoors walking is not just good physical exercise but great for the mind, so parents, students and workers remember to take a break every now and then. There is so much to see, and sometimes it’s just wonderful to be outside listening to the birds. If you don’t drive, why not take a walk along the canal, river or to the nearest park, you will be surprised how much better you feel. Now it’s June – build up has begun for our busiest time of the year – and we can definitely feel it. Therefore, on Friday 6th June which is National Fish & Chip Day, to show my appreciation to our hardworking staff, we are having a proper chippy tea from Hodgson’s Chippy in Lancaster. Whether they are serving customers, answering your calls, prepping embroidery orders, or managing stock behind the scenes, we could not do this without them. As the temperature starts to climb (finally!), we have just the thing for staying cool and confident in any setting. Whether you work in care, catering, construction, cosmetics, or anywhere in between, check out our smart, breathable and cool workwear range. There is no minimum order and delivery is lightning-fast, just what you need when time is tight and the job will not wait. Our shops and website are buzzing as families begin to get organised for summer term events and (dare we say it?) the start of the new school year. Yes, we know it is early, but preparation is everything! Behind the scenes, we are already looking ahead to back-to-school season. That means things ramping up across the board – more orders, more uniforms, more customisation, and with no more than 24 hours in a day, it means more hands on deck! We always welcome our new and returning seasonal staff to help us meet demand, and we could not be happier to have them onboard. If you are one of them – welcome back to the team! Here is to a busy, brilliant summer – and to all the hardworking families out there juggling school, work, and life – we see you, and we are cheering you on. Love Vicki & Stella x
Ready to Break Out for Summer? It’s Just What the Doctor Ordered!
Happy Birthday, NHS!Founded on the 5th July 1948, the NHS has been a lifesaver for millions, and continues to be so (however much we grumble about waiting lists or queueing on the phone for a doctor’s appointment!) The care sector, too is in more in demand than ever, thanks to increased life expectancy (thanks again, NHS!). We are very proud to supply a wide range of uniforms and workwear, from home helps and chiropodists to domiciliary care workers and care home staff. That is why the garments we supply for the care industry are manufactured to the highest quality. They are comfortable, smart, flexible and hardwearing, supporting every bend, twist and lift, for those long shifts. The same applies for those working in the catering, hospitality, food manufacture and transport sectors we all benefit from. Take a look: you might be surprised at the lines we’re adding. July is a red-letter month for many; whether exams and term-end (for teachers, too!), holiday travel, or juggling work and childcare. We’re wonderfully busy with uniform fittings for the next school year; please don’t leave it too late in case everyone’s had the same idea, and we need to order in more of your size! Upstairs in our Lancaster shop is now open, with an extra till, to beat the queues! We’re often able to have in-store only end-of-line bargains; keep an eye on our Facebook page for flash sales as they don’t last long! Talking of busy-ness, we have now filled our vacancies for seasonal staff in our Kirkham and Lancaster shops, so if you see a face you have not seen before – be patient and kind as you could be one of their first customers! Stella’s just helped me send out our summer newsletter with lots more exclusive updates and offers. If you’d like to receive this friendly 5-minute read, quarterly update, please email me on vic@ualonline.co.uk or sign up in-store. And remember our website is bigger, faster and better, for surfing and ordering summer sports and leisurewear, need-it-now school uniform or every kind of workwear 24/7, whenever suits you best. Stella and I loved heading for the fells recently, and while it may be autumn before we get to do it again daily fresh air, exercise and looking out across the bay are great body, mind and mood-lifters. Wishing you summer health and sunshine, Vicki x
Holidays Fly by so Fast, Make the Most of Every Family Moment
We’re well into the summer holidays- for some but there’s no downtime for people like festival workers, ice-cream sellers, soft-play centres, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and of course, us here at Uniform and Leisurewear! While it’s lovely to be off with the kids and enjoy leisure-time together, I know most of us don’t have the luxury of downing tools for six weeks. And forget all those jokes about teachers and endless holidays, with a new years’ worth of lessons to prepare. Doesn’t it make you think how precious, and fleeting, childhood is? Our kids grow up so fast; turn around and they’ll be teens, or out of the door. You’ll miss them, even the squabbles, sulks and “I’m bored”s! But we’ve still got lots of long, lovely light evenings, perfect for family time (and dog walking!). There’s lots you can do together, even when attractions are closed for the day. Locally, we are very lucky to have lots of open parkland and public footpaths, so you can enjoy lots of countryside, canalside, woodland and beach walks for free! Café closed? Take a picnic tea (and, of course, take all packaging to the nearest bin, or home). As Stella reminds me, evenings are much nicer for dogs too, when the sun isn’t toasting their fur coats, and pavements are cooler for their paws. Hiking boots, socks, dog accessories, sports kit, games and accessories, our shops stock lots of quick-pick-up items for whole-family summer fun. There’s no holiday-time in the UAL shops! We’ve welcomed our brilliant seasonal staff, who are learning fast on-the-job and just as keen to give you the best care, attention and quality shopping experience. It’s always best to get organised and get your uniform shopping done EARLY. Even more so if you need smaller or larger sizes as their ordering time may be a little longer than standard sizes… so what we are saying is, don’t leave it until the last minute. Want a sneaky tip? Our shops are quietest just after opening in the morning, with the least queues, bustle, and most individual attention. So if you can lever them out of bed, it’s definitely worth it (and time for fun afterwards!) Our Lancaster shop is now more comfortably double the size, now housing uniforms on two floors, but we do ask that with double the amount of customers expected since closing the Morecambe branch that you are patient and kind. We will get to you, you will be served, there is room to try things on and you will be looked after. For anything that doesn’t need fitting, check our speedy website delivery; the same for workwear for all you stars working through the summer heat (and showers!) Whatever you’re doing, be kind to yourself, and enjoy it, Vicki x