A family-owned business in Banbridge has invested £100,000 and created four jobs to support the continued growth of its online platform and export business. The investment was part supported by Danske Bank.

Donaghy Shoes operates from a 25,000 sq ft store on the main street, employs 75 staff and exports internationally to more than 50 countries.

Peter McVeigh, Director at Donaghy Shoes, said: “With the closure of many high-street shoe shops in Great Britain, we saw an opportunity to grow our business through our online platform. We launched our online store in 2010 but it has really gained momentum in the past three years. Today, 90 per cent of our sales go to Great Britain.

“At the same time, our Banbridge store is as popular as ever and we have expanded into clothing. I think people still appreciate being able to walk into a store and try on different shoes and we’re priced competitively compared to online retailers. We’re also selling through Amazon and eBay.”

With a business plan committed to expansion and growth, the owners were looking for a bank that was flexible and could support the business’s growth ambitions.

“We switched our banking to Danske Bank last December. The systems within Danske Bank are ideal for worldwide e-commerce operations as we operate in pounds, dollars and euros. Having the facilities and flexibility to work with different currencies is vital in the fast- paced world of e-commerce and having a relationship manager on the end of the phone is essential,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr McVeigh said: “In the next six months, we hope to develop our clothing department and further extend our existing premises. We are confident that Danske Bank can support the business and help us flourish across both offline and online channels.”

Danny Hughes, Business Acquisition Manager at Danske Bank, commented: “Banbridge is experiencing a resurgence in its retail offering and it’s good to see more retailers returning to the high street. Donaghy Shoes has been a key retailer in Banbridge for more than 50 years and the owners have seen many challenges in the sector over the years. They have shown an ability to adapt with the times, so we were delighted to be able to help the company with its growth plans and offer them the facilities they needed to work in export markets.”