About Us


Visitors to Durham may not be surprised to find that local residents can easily give them directions to the Cathedral or the Castle, but they are taken aback that these locals can just as easily direct them to Parkins’ store in North Road ! It is a Durham landmark.

Parkins has throughout its history, comfortably maintained its traditions of meticulous personal service and an ability to keep abreast of fashion. Its stock of high quality garments has appeal to all ages and tastes, and its prices are highly-competitive. Many of its regular customers travel  from outside of the North East in order to take advantage of the store’s competitive edge.

The company has never pretended to be all things to all men, and it has chosen to specialise and develop its expertise in 3 main department areas :-

  • Menswear.
  • School uniform and schoolwear.
  • Accessories.

But what it does it does well !

Men's Clothing

Historically, Men’s Outfitters have operated within a relatively slow-moving fashion environment, but over the last 20 years the pace of change has been dramatic. Men of all ages are now much more conscious of style and fashion, and Parkins has skilfully reacted to this change.

The Company has kept abreast of fluctuations in customer requirements for leisure wear, smart/casual outfits and more formal dress items. But in the face of a more volatile and challenging business environment it has rigorously retained two fundamental elements in its marketing strategy, namely high standards of personal service and quality and durability of the garments in its stock. These will never be sacrificed.

Parkins is noted for its comprehensive window displays, and a careful scrutiny of the items therein will vouch for the quality of the goods available for sale. Parkins values its links with Dents Gloves, Farah, Glenmuir/Hawick Knitwear, Rocola, Gabicci, Harris Tweed, Wrangler, Peter England, Viyella and many more household names in garment manufacture who themselves are watchwords for quality.

Browse this web site, make a short list of your requirements and then pay a personal visit to this Aladdin’s cave of a store. The choice and diversity of stock will amaze you. We are confident that you will be delighted at the friendly customer welcome you receive, (sadly a more and more rare experience in the current retail world!).

We look forward to your visit, hopefully one of many in the future, but don’t hesitate to give us a ring on 0191 384 8527 if you wish to discuss details of any potential purchase in advance of your trip to Durham.

School Uniforms

The reputable and carefully-chosen Manufacturers who supply Parkins with their stock have cleverly managed to combine the growing demand by schools for clothing which is not only affordable and durable, but which also meets the evermore-stringent demands of the fashion-conscious age group for which they cater.

Parkins’ client portfolio contains the names of a growing number of highly-respected Independent, Secondary Schools and Academies who are convinced that well-cut, fashionable and affordable school-wear gives the young people who wear it a sense of corporate identity. There is considerable evidence that the reaction of earlier years against uniforms has now changed into an increased popularity for them.

Our staff will be delighted to discuss the adoption of uniforms by any School which has an interest in doing so, and, of course, will be pleased, as always, to advise parents and pupils on their specific requirements. Parkins do not see their business as solely one of being a supplier. They are committed to being enthusiastic partners of schools, pupils and parents in the educational process.

Do not hesitate to ring 0191 384 8527 either to discuss formally a school contract or to have an informal chat about your own young person’s individual requirements.