Established in 1896, Billings & Edmonds are one of the UK’s leading and most respected uniform suppliers.
The expertise and knowledge acquired over a century of supplying uniform enables us to deliver uniform to each school which is both distinctive and practical, reflecting its values. Our approach is flexible as we understand that the requirements of each school are different.
Large enough to deliver, small enough to care.
Our company is synonymous with quality, supplying expertly constructed and designed uniform using durable fabrics that can withstand the rigours of every day wear.
As one of the country’s most reliable and respected uniform providers, we are able to secure competitive prices from our suppliers, which we can pass onto parents. In partnership with our schools, we work to offer parents a uniform that is affordable and real value for money.
Our ethically sourced garments give parents peace of mind and can be worn with pride by their children. Through our long-term relationships with suppliers, we are able to drive up standards and help with initiatives for sustainable clothing.
Availability of uniform when parents need it: we hold an industry leading high level of stock, across a full size range, to ensure our uniform can be purchased during the back to school period and the rest of the year.
We offer flexibility to suit the needs of each parent, whether visiting a high street shop, buying on our user-friendly website or attending a convenient pop up sale at their school. We also hold regular promotional events and offer a free weekly “delivery to school” service for online orders, where schools wish to participate in this scheme.
Knowledgeable and experienced staff who know the uniform requirements of each school and give valued advice to parents on sizing and other uniform related matters. We take immense pride in what we do and always put our customers first.
We offer joined up, effective and efficient retail solutions bespoke to your school to ensure parents and students have the best experience:
Our updated website is secure and easy to use. It is fully responsive on all devices, with enhanced functionality to improve the customer’s buying experience. The site has been designed around the detailed uniform requirements of every school, with precise and accurate sizing and other guidance on each product to ensure parents can buy with ease and confidence:
We passionately believe in the future of Britain’s high streets. As a “bricks and mortar” retailer for over 125 years, we know that our customers still value the ability to walk into a shop, see and feel garments, before trying them on. Using our reliable online appointment system, busy customers can book a convenient time for a personal one-to-one uniform fitting.
Our experienced staff offer expert measurement and fitting advice to each customer and can discuss with them the specific uniform requirements of their school. It is very common for our staff to know customers by name, for us, its personal.
We sell uniform direct to schools, but also have the expertise to set up and run uniform shops on-site.
Our model for school shops is flexible and can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the school, enabling parents and pupils to buy uniform when they want. We currently operate two school shops, where parents appreciate the personal and prompt attention they receive from their dedicated store.
As a retailer, we have extended this expertise over the past thirty years to carry out “pop up” selling events at our schools. On such occasions, we bring sufficient stock of uniform and sportswear to the school to meet expected demand.
The uniform is sold on the day; parents make payment and take the goods home. Such selling events may be held once a year aimed at new starters or held each term for existing parents.
In our experience, many parents simply wish to speak to a staff member who has knowledge of their school’s uniform and can provide expert advice.
Our staff are available Monday to Saturday throughout the year, to take calls and answer queries on all aspects of uniform purchasing, including online orders, garment alterations, naming items and stock availability.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Leigh and the team at Billings and Edmonds. Following a rebrand, we are in the process of redesigning our uniform and their expertise and insight has been invaluable. The sourcing and implementation of the new uniform and sportswear has been professionally handled and produced an outcome that we are all delighted with. I would highly recommend them as a supplier, and they are also very efficient on a day to day basis quickly responding to any queries or requests”
We are pleased to work with schools in making changes to their uniform, whether changing a few garments or the design of an entirely new uniform or performance sports kit. Our team possess a depth and breadth of garment knowledge, be it materials, patterns, processes, embroidery and printing. Through our close relationships and shared values with manufacturers and suppliers around the world, innovations in fabrics and leading edge processes are utilised in the design and construction of the clothing we offer and supply.
The process begins with an initial consultation to understand the school's requirements. Given our wide range of suppliers, including all major UK uniform and sportswear companies, we are able offer ideas and designs that matches these requirements, within the budget proposed.
Following the brief, a range of visuals are prepared, story boards, CAD mock-ups and colour cards/thread wraps are considered; a variety of garments, fabric and trim samples are examined and tried; with follow-up meetings as may be required, working together towards a clear concept of a strong and coherent uniform and sports kit.
When schools seek a distinctive or unique look, we are able to offer them the opportunity to create their own unique fabrics, in collaboration with UK mills and international fabric houses.
We have a long and proud association with Marton Mills, a British fabric manufacturer founded in 1931. Working with them, we are able to create a bespoke cloth to the school’s brief, or dye fabric to match a specific colour.
Improvements to fabric used for sportswear are constantly being made and we are well placed to introduce such changes if they add value and enhance the performance of kit. We are also working to satisfy the increased demand for eco-friendly fabrics in sportswear, with new sports kit being introduced to some of our schools made from Ecotech fabric, composed partly from recycled polyester derived from post-consumer plastic waste.
Fabric used for daywear is also continuously reviewed and improved. We developed the application of a nano coating on the wool fabric used to manufacture the Harrow School blazer. Nanoparticles of silica were incorporated into the weave to create a coating that repels water and stain-producing liquids. The angle and roughness of the silica coating creates enough surface tension to ensure that liquids form beads that roll off the fabric rather than soaking into it. Measured in nano-meters, or one billionth of a meter, nano coatings are completely invisible to look at and almost undetectable to the touch. They are completely safe, containing no harmful chemicals or volatile organic compounds.
Some of our wool-mix knitwear use British wool that is both durable and sustainable.
Once designs are approved and fabrics selected, we will provide free of charge samples, as well as accurate and detailed costings. Often these samples are reviewed by the wider school community to ensure the garments meet all their requirements and the approval of the students.
We carry out testing of samples in-house if a completely new garment has been made. If necessary, alterations to designs can be made, to ensure the school is completely satisfied, before the pre-production sample is signed off.
In collaboration with the school, the timing of the introduction of new garments and phasing out of any old garments is planned and implemented and by working together, any transition is seamless and efficient. We recognise that the process of uniform and sportwear change is ongoing and we work consistently with all our schools to improve and change uniform when appropriate.
We are able to work at a pace that suits the school, whether involved in the design of a uniform during the early feasibility stages of a new school, or delivering a uniform within a tight timetable during the final implementation of a uniform/brand change.
We take great pride in seeing the joy of students wearing new garments, like these Marist Prep girls wearing their new tartan pinafores and navy felt hats.
Appointing a new outfitter may seem like a daunting and onerous process. However, whether your school wishes to re-design an entire uniform, or make no changes to the uniform and sportswear, but only change outfitter, we ensure the process is frictionless and effective for you and your parents. We respect and work positively with all stakeholders to achieve an effective outcome.
“We moved our uniform supply from an onsite shop to B&E during the summer term of 2020. I have had no reason to regret the decision and am delighted we have established a good relationship with Ranjan and Leigh. The team have been a pleasure to deal with from the first meeting, dealing with every aspect of the transition efficiently and professionally.
Their team's experience in the school uniform sector was evident from the beginning, with a focus on their customers and meant the whole process was well thought through - from communications planning, online shop preparation, uniform list familiarisation and the physical stock handover in the middle of covid restrictions.”
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