ONLINE sports retailer newitts.com is a fifth-generation family-owned business established in 1902.

Lisa Newitt joined seven years ago and her role as director includes choosing and buying the vast product range that the company sells online. This involves studying graphs, trends and statistics in order to prepare forward orders and ensure sufficient stocks are available to meet customer demand.

Originally trading from a shop in Goodramgate, York, selling leather goods, the company diversified as a demand for leather cricket balls and footballs increased and resulted in the production of a range of sporting goods.

The range of sports equipment and sportswear has expanded over the years and now caters for most sports including athletics, cricket, football, hockey, rugby, squash and volleyball, plus fitness equipment and games.

Now trading solely online with a distribution centre at Claxton, just off the A64, the company sells direct to the public as well as to schools, nurseries, local authorities and sports clubs.

Mrs Newitt attributes the company’s longevity and success to the hard work and dedication of the family and its team of loyal employees.

Looking to the future, Mrs Newitt’s 22-year-old nephew Henry, the fifth generation of the firm, is already making his mark on the business with the launch of the Apollo fitness range.

Mrs Newitt said: “With innovation, passion and commitment at the heart of this family business the next 100 years are looking good.”

 

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

“I would have liked to have been a fashion designer as I love clothes!”

Greatest achievement?

“I’m proud to have designed and built my own house.”

What makes you most angry?

“Dishonesty.”

Biggest mistake?

“Not going back to university to do my MBA.”

What do you need to make life complete?

“Family, loyal friends, good food, fresh air and exercise!”

Why do you make a difference?

“As a sport retailer we are keen to help people get fit and active. I love all kinds of sport and fitness and believe that if you have a healthy body you have a healthy mind. I am a very positive person, which hopefully rubs off onto the people around me. I am motivated, driven and passionate about all that I do, and I think that is down to being physically active and having a competitive spirit.”

Epitaph

“Mourn not my death, but celebrate my life.”