Best Independent Retailer: Camping Awards 2024

WINNER – Best Independent Retailer 2024

Winfields Outdoors

(Photo courtesy of Winfields Outdoors)

Why Winfields Outdoors?

With seven stores around the UK, Winfields is one of the bigger players in the outdoor market, but despite its multiple locations, it retains the spirit of a local retailer. Part of the reason for that is that the business is still in the hands of the Winfield family after more than 50 years of trading.

The company prides itself on providing customers with excellent advice and aftersales care, combined with competitive prices, and readers of Camping magazine and our various digital platforms obviously agree – voting for Winfields Outdoors as the Best Independent Retailer of 2024 in our awards.

There is no substitute for being able to see 'in real life' camping equipment set up before you buy, and there are extensive indoor and outdoor displays of tents and camping gear at most of the seven Winfields Outdoors branches. The top brands are all stocked, including Vango, Outwell, Kampa, Coleman, Robens, Easy Camp and more.

Company founder, the late Dale Winfield, started his empire at an old Co-op building in the 1960s, where he began selling odd-sized slippers, before moving onto other types of footwear and clothing.

The business quickly grew into one of the northwest’s biggest shoe retailers but it was the expansion into the sale of camping equipment and outdoor wear that really helped Winfields make its mark. The Hazel Mill store in Haslingden, Lancashire, opened in 1976 and is where the company Dale founded is still based today.

Winfields Outdoors is now led by his wife, June, alongside children, Joe and Janine. Today, the company employs more than 200 members of staff, and, as well as the Haslingden branch, has stores in Chester, Feckenham, Garforth, Hull, Keswick and Measham. After more than 50 years, it remains proudly independent and dedicated to its loyal customer base across the country.