Outdoor clothing company harbours growth hopes

Alex Feechan set up Innerleithen-based FINDRA a decade ago

A Borders firm specialising in sustainable outdoor clothing for women has secured support to expand its business.

FINDRA - created in 2014 by award-winning fashion designer Alex Feechan - has gathered £300,000 in additional finance from its existing investors.

It is hoped that figure can be doubled by a crowdfunding drive.

The company aims to use the money to increase turnover, develop new products and expand its in-house e-commerce team.

FINDRA is based in Innerleithen and Ms Feechan said demand for its products was growing.

"We're seeing more people, of all ages, wearing outdoor clothing for everyday wear," she said.

"They look for versatility, functionality and style, elements already incorporated into every item of the FINDRA product offering."

However, she said building the brand was not an "overnight task".

"This new investment will allow FINDRA to concentrate on our triple bottom line of people, place and planet, growing our community of customers in a considered approach."

She said there was still a "long way to go and a lot of work to do" to increase business.

"We’re not unlike a wide variety of businesses in that the combined impact of the pandemic and more recent economic conditions, affected us in a variety of ways," she said.

"It’s also no surprise that retail habits have shifted in recent years.

"What we're seeing is a bit of a move away from the fast-fashion trends of the last decade, towards quality and classical pieces which are longer-lasting but also have a positive impact on our society."