ClicTime expands its creative space
A business which licenses and distributes Lego and Star Wars merchandise globally from its base in the North East has expanded into premises more than three times the size of its previous home.
ClicTime is the exclusive global licensee for Lego watches and clocks, and also has a dual LEGO license with Warner Bros and Lucas Film, which allows the manufacture and distribution of LEGO Star Wars and LEGO DC Superhero clocks and watches worldwide.
The business has now expanded into 3,369sq ft premises in Blaydon, South Tyneside more than treble the floor space of its previous base in Ponteland to give its 11-strong design team three storeys of modern open plan office and design space, plus a large stockroom and marketing department.
ClicTime, which distributes its Lego merchandise throughout the UK, as well as in 8,000 retail outlets across North America and in more than 20 countries on four continents, has also taken on two new people at its new North East office.
The company have made significant investment into its new base, converting it into a three-floor creative space for its design teams to devise future ranges of iconic products for global sale.
Along with ClicTime, owner and managing director Jim Richardson also owns several other brands which are designed and managed from the premises, including Skewjack among others.
And with the impending launch of a new Lego movie and range of watches for adults among the many developments planned for 2014, the year ahead holds significant potential for the business.
The new Blaydon site is the UK headquarters of ClicTime, a global company which also has offices in New Jersey in the United States, and Hong Kong. It was established in the North East in 1999 by Jim Richardson, and has been a Lego licensee for over 12 years.
Robert Palmer, Group finance manager at ClicTime, said: “We have always held a strong relationship with LEGO and in recent years we have seen a rapid increase in turnover globally. The new space in Blaydon is perfect for our business and we envisage being here for many years. We are excited for our new product launches for 2014 and expect the business to continue to grow into the future.”
ClicTime has been supported in its office move by Newcastle law firm Sintons, with Helen Warren, an Associate in the firm’s commercial property team, carrying out all of the property work. Donna Hunwick, a solicitor in Sintons’ employment team, also works with ClicTime, supporting the business with its employment work.
ClicTime has also donated hundreds of its watches and clocks to Sintons’ charity of the year for 2013, Down’s Syndrome North East, as well as for the law firm to give to local children in a local hospital.
Donna Hunwick, employment solicitor at Sintons, said: “While a relatively small and locally based operation, ClicTime works with huge brands on a global scale, establishing a strong reputation in the process. From their very discreet new premises, they design iconic products which are sold and loved around the world.
“The team at ClicTime is hugely creative and so passionate about their designs, and their enthusiasm is infectious. We are very pleased to work with them and to help support them as they continue to grow and develop in the region and beyond.
“Furthermore, we are sincerely grateful to Jim and the team for their generous donations to our charity of the year. These watches and clocks have been raffled to raise money, others gifted to children who are helped by Down’s Syndrome North East, and have also made lots of children smile at the Great North Children’s Hospital at Newcastle’s RVI.”
For more information about ClicTime, visit www.clictime.com.
