The owners of Clear Marketing have told Prolific North this morning, that the agency will close at the end of December after 23 years in business.
They explained that they’d taken the decision after their largest client, Cala Homes, had decided to “step away to work in a different structure.”
The Wilmslow brand strategy and marketing communications agency became employee-owned in 2021 and as a result the decision to close was made by its board, in conjunction with its Board of Trustees.
“This has been a difficult decision to make and one that we have reached with a heavy heart,” said Managing Director, Gemma Stirling.
“The business showed incredible resilience throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and I couldn’t be prouder of how the team pulled together during this time. The loss of the agency’s biggest client after 16 fantastic years means that we lose a significant proportion of our income and team through TUPE however, which, coupled with the ongoing challenging economic climate, makes it difficult to continue.
“We have taken the time to really examine our future, and, with the best interests of all employees who are our number one priority, we collectively feel that now is the right time for us to move on.”
The company said that the closure would be done “in a manner that ensured its staff were able to get the maximum possible support from the situation.”
It was in a “cash positive” position, meaning that all eligible employees would benefit from a share distribution.
Clear Marketing was set up in 2000 and has worked with brands including Thomas Cook, Topps Tiles, Pets at Home, Millie’s Cookies, McArthur Glen, Going Places, Hoover, and CALA Homes.
“We are so grateful to our team, our partners and our clients for their support throughout our time in business,” added Stirling. “We’ve had 23 incredible years working in partnership with our clients, and we’re exceptionally proud of the work that we’ve delivered.
“We’ve built strong relationships and helped many businesses achieve a true and lasting impact in their marketing and brand activity. We wish them all the very best for the future.”
