It's a sizable shop for a business that began in a couple's bathroom.
Actor Ryan Reynolds
A shop selling school uniform in Wigan and Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds are not two things you'd expect to be linked in any way.
But Icon Embroidery doesn't just deal with school uniforms.
Its services were enlisted to help furnish The Turf in Wrexham, a popular spot for Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds and his friend Rob McElhenney, who took over Wrexham Football Club in 2020.
The Turf pub gained global attention after featuring in the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries, which documented the duo's unexpected takeover of the football club.
When Carlick Contract Furniture, based in Clifton, Salford, was selected to transform the pub — including custom seats for club director Humphrey Ker and owners Ryan and Rob — they knew exactly who to reach out to.
The bespoke leather panels being created at Icon Embroidery
Knowing Icon's reputation for specialising in bespoke embroidery, the Astley business was given the job, and handed leather panels to embroider The Turf, Wrexham and initials RR, HK and RMc.
"We were informed of the background of the job and who it was for, Ryan Reynolds," said Leonie Lewis, who owns Icon with husband Chris.
"We were so excited to be part of this journey - Astley to Hollywood. Chris loves these types of jobs, ones that are more challenging with precise embroidery positioning for the perfect finish.
"We have worked with Carlick several times on specialist jobs, but this tops them all. What a job."
Leonie and Chris Lewis with their youngest son Jay
Icon started from humble beginnings - with Leonie and Chris, both 49, initially setting it up from the bathroom of their home in 2012.
"We boarded over the bath and bought a second hand single head embroidery machine off Ebay," said Leonie, who lives with her family in Astley.
"We built the business up over a two-year period and in 2014 decided to take the plunge and open Icon Embroidery in Astley. When we first opened Chris was the main man, along with our Jack Russell, Betty."
The Icon Embroidery shop at The Gables in Astley
Over the past 10 years, the couple, who have four sons — Josh (27), Jack (24), Joe (23), and Jay (19) — have made significant investments in new embroidery machinery and a vinyl printer. As their shop, located at The Gables Shopping Centre, has grown busier each year, they opened a second location in Atherton in 2022.
They now employ four full-time staff members, including their youngest son, Jay, whom they hope will eventually take over the business.
"Over these last 12 years we have built up a fantastic relationship with local schools, councils, corporate businesses, small businesses and charities," added Leonie.
The customised leather seat for Ryan Reynolds
"We offer a wide range of embroidery and printing services on school uniform, workwear, accessories and more. Chris has over 25 years experience in the embroidery trade and as such we have been approached numerous times from large corporate companies such as Kelloggs, In The Style, ITV - for specialist embroidery relating to people in the public eye.
"On this occasion we were approached by Carlick who manufacture bespoke furniture. It was a privilege to have been a part of the making of furniture for Ryan Reynolds and his team at Wrexham, it's not everyday you work with a Hollywood star."