Livingston store becomes 5,000th Subway in Europe

Sandwich chain Subway has unwrapped its 5,000th outlet in Europe with the opening of a branch in West Lothian.

Franchisee Haj Atwal at his new Subway branch in Livingston, the brand's 5,000th in Europe. Picture: Contributed

The store, in Livingston’s The Centre shopping mall, is the 16th run by franchisee Haj Atwal, who said he chosen the location for his latest branch following the retail destination’s recent expansion and refurbishment.

Atwal said: “It feels fantastic to have opened the 5,000th Subway store in Europe. I started my career with the Subway brand over 15 years ago, when I opened my first store with my brother, Narinder in Edinburgh.

“Since then, we have gone on to open many more Subway stores individually and together, with the support of the brand.”

He said the 1,400 square foot eatery will employ 15 people and have seating more than 50 customers.

All of Subway’s 44,000 stores worldwide are owned and operated on a franchise basis. Its first UK outlet opened in Brighton 20 years ago, and the brand now has more than 2,300 across the UK and Ireland – having opened 300 last year – employing some 23,000 people. The British Isles are the company’s third-largest market behind the US and Canada.

Justin Goes, the firm’s European regional director, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be announcing the 5,000th Subway store in Europe.

“It is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strong entrepreneurial spirit of our franchisees who work hard in their local communities providing a great product and excellent customer service to all our customers.”