Gold medal glory fires up demand north of Border

Team GB’s success in the London Olympics is giving sporting businesses north of the Border a boost as people are inspired to emulate their heroes.

Equipment retailers and fitness franchises are among the enterprises benefiting from Britain’s medal haul as the Games draw to a close.

Glasgow-based retailer Greaves Sports has seen sales of running spikes jump 40 per cent compared to last year since the Games started, while the group sold out of Team GB wristbands as worn by Andy Murray.

Commercial sports clubs are also experiencing an increase in custom as Scots get the fitness bug. Burn It, which runs fitness sessions and exercise “boot camps” across Scotland, has seen a 10 per cent rise in custom since the start of the Olympics. Co-founder John Laurie said the firm’s existing customers are attending sessions more regularly.

He said: “I was speaking to some of them about Sir Chris Hoy’s medals and a lot of them were saying ‘we’re just so inspired’.

“It makes you want to get out and do something yourself, and we are lucky as well that the weather is good so people are more likely to come along.”

Stirling-based Brian Leckie said his Little Tiger Cubs brand of children’s fitness classes was already benefiting before the Games, as primary schools hired the firm to bolster its PE offering.

“Over the past year particularly, schools have been focused on the Olympics, with Olympics challenge days and Olympic themes to sports days,” he said.