Cricket First cash in on pre-Christmas rush
by Alan Rowley, 13th December 2005

With the current resurgence of cricket as a major spectator sport, retailers throughout the country are reporting an increase in pre-Christmas sales. Fortunately, site sponsors Charlie and Neil French have chosen this time to launch a new venture - Cricket First. Situated in Swan Lane in Mansfield Woodhouse (near the White Swan pub), Cricket First opened its doors on Saturday, in time for the Christmas rush.

Cricket First is no ordinary cricket retailer. Charlie is the region's premier cricket bat maker and his hand crafted bats can often be seen around the country. Cricket First offer customers a 'pick your own willow and bat design service'. You can choose your piece of willow in the shop, and Charlie will even allow you to watch it being made, if you wish.

Club wear service.

'Pick your own' willow.

Charlie told 'the follow on': "The cost of willow is going up by 8% on January 1st 2006, but we all holding all our bats at 2005 prices until then. A top of the range bat will only set you back around £130. We also have in stock the 2006 range of Charlie French protective wear, including a complete new range of gloves."

The shop are also offering a unique club wear service. There are different designs to choose from and you can match them to your club's colours. Clothing available includes playing shirts and trousers, practice shirts, shorts, track suits and shower jacket, all of which can be embroided and printed.

The ProSkins range of clothing.

The CF range of bats, pads and gloves.

Using Neil's expertise in the textile industry, the brothers have developed a range of technical base layer clothing under the trade mark of ProSkins. The garments are manufactured in Mansfield from technical fabrics imported from the USA. Neil told us: "This is the latest technology of sporting underwear that keeps the body dry and amazingly cool in the hottest conditions. It is worn as a second skin and the designs are cricket specific as well as generic to all sports."

To enable customers to purchase Christmas gifts at leisure, the shop will open until 9:30pm on Wednesday 14th and Wednesday 21st December. The shop is only five minutes walk from the Robin Hood Line for those who do not wish to drive. Charlie said: "Wine and beer will be available and my wife will be providing some of her home made mince pies."

For more details, telephone the shop on 01623 654242.