Go Outdoors explores Piccadilly Basin
GO Outdoors, the Sheffield-based retailer of sports, camping and other outdoor equipment, has launched its new flagship superstore within Town Centre Securities’ Urban Exchange scheme in Manchester.
The company has taken 55,000 sq ft within the former ILVA unit off Great Ancoats Street for its 28th UK store, which officially opened last weekend.
In total, there is 120,000 sq ft of space at urban Exchange. 17,000 sq ft is occupied by Aldi, but there are also two remaining ground floor units and a lower ground floor site. TCS said it is in negotiations with firms for both ground floor units and with a gym operator for the lower ground.
Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive of Town Centre Securities, said; “To be welcoming yet another high profile retailer to Urban Exchange demonstrates the appeal of the scheme’s pivotal location, adaptability to suit a range of occupiers and plentiful parking.
“GO Outdoors has a large and diverse customer base and we are confident that the increased footfall their superstore will generate will attract additional tenants in due course.”
Last year, Go Outdoors grew turnover to £75m and opened nine new stores. Its chief executive John Graham said that the Manchester opening was “the start of our ambitious growth plans for 2011 and we see potential to have 50 stores across the UK by 2013.”
