Clic hopes kiosks will push turnover to £6.5m

Apr 16 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A WATCHMAKER specialising in Lego merchandise hopes to bounce back from a major contract loss by opening 22 new kiosks and increase its turnover from £1.3m to £6.5m by 2011.

The plans by Ponteland-based Clic Time would create 66 jobs around the country and, with the five kiosks it plans to add to its pitches in Gateshead MetroCentre and The Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland, would almost double its 13-strong North East workforce.

The firm, which specialises in producing Lego inspired Star Wars watches and clocks through its exclusive rights with the toy firm and agreement with Lucasfilm, hopes to sell a number of the kiosks on as franchises and is looking at a number of possible sites including Newcastle International Airport and Eldon Square, Newcastle.

It is also developing a range of adult Lego watches to complement its children’s range and is in talks with Lucasfilm and Warner Brothers to manufacture Indiana Jones and Batman products on the back of this summer’s blockbuster film and video game releases.

The plans mark a turnaround for the company, which saw half of its worldwide supply chain disappear in 2006 after losing the business of an American distributor.

However, the watchmaker, which was set up in 1999 before securing the deal with Lego in 2000, now believes it can recover its losses by seizing more control of its own distribution through the kiosks.

Jim Richardson, managing director, said: “The loss of our distributor in the US really hurt the business and meant that we had to respond immediately.

“Our plans to expand our kiosks is one way of doing this, as is the introduction of our new lines.”

The kiosks will also act as third part distributors for Lego and will sell a range of products such as Star Wars and Harry Potter key rings, chess sets and even Lego ice-cube trays and cork screws. Clic Time, which gets its products manufactured in China, is also hoping to set up 10 kiosks in Texas in order to start rebuilding its US presence.

It is also planning to increase its presence in department stores and hopes to be selling its watches and clocks in Fenwick, Newcastle, by the end of the year.

Mr Richardson, who used to sell watches on shopping channel QVC before setting up Clic Time, said: “We manufacture a very unique product. As well as being a Lego toy, our timepieces are an interactive learning tool for children.

“They are based on familiar characters known and enjoyed by children such as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker and we want to build on their mass appeal around the world.”

As well as being a Lego toy, our timepieces are an interactive learning tool