All Go as leisure firm unveils jobs boost

LEISURE and camping chain Go Outdoors has unveiled plans to open five stores in Scotland, in a move expected to create 200 jobs over the next two years, writes Chris Kay.

The company will invest 8 million in the Scottish expansion, which will see outlets appear in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Clydebank will be the location for the first new superstore, which is due to open in March. It will feature a children's play frame and climbing wall. The new stores will bolster Go's sole Scottish shop, in Coatbride, which opened in 2007.

The 200 jobs will be divided evenly between full and part-time posts, although the exact ratio will vary from store to store.

John Graham, Go Outdoor's managing director, said: "Scotland has huge strategic importance for Go Outdoors. Our superstore in Coatbridge has been a huge success since it opened just over two years ago."

Overall, Go Outdoor is planning to open 19 stores across Britain, taking its total to 30 and creating some 1,000 jobs.

The expansion has come from a 18m refinancing package with Bank of Scotland earlier this year.