March 27, 2017 12.00 pm This story is over 84 months old

Swedish childrenswear company moves into The Lawn

Lincoln-based Odin Retail Ltd have become the first tenants to move into 19th century building The Lawn, creating two new jobs. Odin Retail Ltd, the Master Franchise Partner for leading Swedish baby and childrenswear brand Polarn O. Pyret have relocated their UK & Ireland head office from Searby Road. It is the first business to…
Mats & Jo Nilsson, co-owners of Odin Retail Ltd. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln-based Odin Retail Ltd have become the first tenants to move into 19th century building The Lawn, creating two new jobs.

Odin Retail Ltd, the Master Franchise Partner for leading Swedish baby and childrenswear brand Polarn O. Pyret have relocated their UK & Ireland head office from Searby Road.

It is the first business to operate in the iconic building for four years, following the sale of the site to Lincoln-based coffee roasters RW Stokes and Sons.

The business, which officially launched in 2006, is operating its own online store and 16 retail stores and concessions across the UK from the newly renovated suite of offices at The Lawn.

The Lincoln HQ has 13 staff and is currently recruiting for two new positions in e-commerce and marketing.

The business is also a leading supplier to John Lewis, House of Fraser and other national department stores.

Jo Nilsson, co-owner of Odin Retail Ltd, said: “In the first five years of trading we moved every year as the business grew starting from a spare room at home, to managed workspaces and then to long term office accommodation at Ceres House in the North of the city.

“The re-opening of The Lawn in 2017 has been timed perfectly for the end of our latest commercial lease, and we are absolutely delighted with our stunning new office space and location.”

Stokes completed its purchase of the site on August 1, 2016 to become the company’s new £2 million head office and tourist attraction, after two years of negotiations.

An artist’s impression of how the East Wing of The Lawn would look under the proposals.

The Lincoln company will make the listed building its new headquarters, also installing events space, a cafe and a roastery.

The former ‘lunatic asylum’ includes a hidden theatre and stained class windows and has the ability to play host to several tenant stores as well as the possibility for a spa and restaurant.