Young lifestyle brand Rampant Sporting, which was founded by Exeter university graduate Richard Hurtley, is coming home to its birthplace with its very first retail store in Exeter.

The popular fashion brand will open its first store on Gandy Street next month as it begins a retail roll out.

Rampant Sporting, which has been rebranded from its original name Lions Rampant, was founded by Richard Hurtley in 2007. As many of his peers hunted for more traditional graduate roles just as the downturn hit, Hurtley aspired for more and despite the downturn has built an exciting and successful business.

Hurtley says it is very important for the brand to be opening its premier store in the city where the brand was born.

“There was just no other choice for us for store Number One. A huge amount of customers are based in Devon and there is a lot of loyalty still there for us, by people who have followed our story. This location should make for an exciting brand introduction to stand-alone retail for us,” he says.

He adds: “The move to Exeter is very important to us as it is the birthplace of this business. The brand was conceived on a University couch in Exeter in 2005 and now here it is going back to its roots, with a store less than a mile from where it all began.”

Starting out as a brand selling luxury Rugby socks it soon grew to become a popular sporting lifestyle brand with a real sense of authenticity and fun, attaining cult status online and through the 40 plus shows the brand attends each year.

The brand has recently rebranded to a name that more clearly defines its British sporting heritage and the brand’s sense of youth, vibrancy and fun. It signals an exciting new era for the business.

Last year Rampant Sporting received an investment from fashion brand Joules, the first time Joules has ever invested in another business, testament to the great growth potential of the brand. This investment has allowed Rampant Sporting to move into retail and expand its wholesale reach.

The Exeter shop on 16 Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS, is opening on Thursday, 7th April.