If there’s one thing Scousers love, apart from music and football… it’s trainers (or trabs if you’re a true Scouser). Meet the lads who’ve created a digital platform to get Scousers and sportswear fanatics around the world the best deals going.

Bennetts came to Baltic Creative in 2021, first in a space at 16 Jordan Street then, due to the growth of their business, a larger space in Digital House. We asked owner Bennett (Ben) Harris about their recent growth and what got him started. 

Bennetts is a digital sportswear retailer which sells 100% authentic brands like Nike and On. Ben, who started off selling shoelaces in school, established the company in 2020 when he was fresh out of sixth form. 

“I was sick of seeing people get ripped off for items that were often available for retail price, or reduced. We save people on average at least 12% off their order.”

Ben used his mate’s card to get into Edge Hill library and built his website using the computers there. Now with a team behind him, the lads have built a massive social media following of just under 500,000 followers. As well as posting the latest sportswear, they also share news, trends, culture, and interviews with the people of Liverpool. They’ve attracted the attention of celebrities like ex-Towie star Tommy Mallet, who regularly shares the stuff they send him; and rapper Central Cee who’s become a big fan of Ben and the boys. 

On Swap event

Earlier this year, the lads organised an On Swap event. They offered the first twenty people who arrived at a secret location the chance to swap old On running shoes for a new pair. It took off on social media when they shared the heart-warming video of Leo – a kid from Dovecot who turned up late to the swap. Leo took a chance and knocked on their door as the lads were cleaning up, asking if he could swap his battered trainers for one of the old, secondhand pairs that’d been traded in. Luckily Ben and the lads had a pair left in Leo’s size and were able to make his day with some brand new On Cloudswifts.

  • Mark trying to solve the nyke/ny-kee debate
  • Ben shares the location of their On Swap
  • Leo gets his first pair of On Cloudswifts

New home for the business

With all this attention it’s no surprise the business has grown quickly and needed more space. Ben has been on our radar for a bigger space all year and in June we were able to find him one. We asked Ben what made him stay with us: 

“The Baltic Creative team is so nice. They don’t operate like normal landlords – the culture Lynn, Chris & the team have created is supportive of start-ups. They’re really helpful and understand the trials and tribulations we go through. I hope the Baltic never loses this because it would stifle the city’s creative growth.”

The Bennetts team is now in its new home, on the second floor in Digital House. About the new space, Ben said:

“Whilst Jordan Street was a perfect entry point for a startup, there’s a few offices without windows. Ours was one of them, and it was time to get some natural light to help our creative process!”

Follow Bennetts

Stay up-to-date with Bennetts on social media (links below) and keep an eye out for their new website – coming later this year!

(c) All images copyright of Bennetts Sports Ltd.