Sports Direct to open in Leith

A sports retailer which has come under fire amid reports staff were not being paid the minimum wage is to open a new store in Leith.

Sports Direct is to open a store in Leith. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Bosses at SportsDirect.com have confirmed they plan to launch a branch in Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, creating 26 new jobs.

They said the 8000 sq ft store would showcase brands at the best prices.

There will also be in-store areas for running, outdoor, football and golf.

However, the announcement comes after it emerged that temporary workers at its Derbyshire warehouse were receiving effective hourly rates of pay below the minimum wage.

A spokesperson for SportsDirect.com said: “We are delighted to be opening our new store in Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre.

“As we continue to grow throughout the UK, our ethos has never changed in that we offer our customers the biggest brands in all types of sportswear, footwear and sports equipment at low prices.”

Four senior management positions and 22 other key staff positions are being created at the new store.

Ocean Terminal was designed by Sir Terence Conran and opened in 2001.

SportsDirect.com is the UK’s largest sporting retailer with over 450 stores nationwide and a thriving digital platform.