Go Outdoors is set to launch one of York’s most significant retail events with the grand opening of its new store at the Vangarde Shopping Park. Moving into the former John Lewis building, this store will be the largest outdoor shop in Europe when it opens.
Set to open on Friday, 23th August, the grand opening weekend will then take place on 7th and 8th September, and will feature TV star and Go Outdoors’ brand ambassador, Helen Skelton, who will officially open the store. The weekend festivities include free goodie bags for the first 500 groups on Saturday, brand demonstrations from companies like Weber and Campingaz, and opportunities to meet experts from Garmin, Adidas Terrex, Hunter, Montane, The North Face, and Thule. The event will also feature face painters, balloon modellers, DJs, and various prizes.
Spanning 125,000 sq ft, the store will house over 380 brands catering to activities such as walking, camping, caravanning, watersports, running, fishing, horse riding, and climbing. It will include more than 30 branded concession areas, including the largest Yeti store in Europe, a new Garmin store with the UK’s most extensive range on display, and Britain’s first Adidas Terrex in-store concession. Additionally, the store will feature Stanley’s largest store in Europe, the biggest World of Weber concession with over 30 grills, a Whitestores Outdoor living store, and Leisure Lakes’ latest cycling concept store. The UK’s first Jessops discovery store will also be located within the Vangarde outlet.
The store will introduce a new concept cafe, Alpine Café, offering fresh meals made with locally sourced produce. Deb O’Donnell, Vangarde Shopping Centre manager, expressed excitement over the new addition, emphasizing its role as both a shopping destination and community hub for outdoor enthusiasts.
Go Outdoors will also introduce new brands like Sweaty Betty, Under Armour, Regatta X Orla Kiely, Crewe Clothing, Hunter, Spotty Otter, Thule, and Karcher. CEO Lee Bagnall shared his enthusiasm about the launch, highlighting the store’s dedication to providing top brands and services to customers in York.
The new store has created 42 jobs, with 28 employees transitioning from the old Go Outdoors York store at Foss Bank. Experts will be available to assist with helmet, boot, and backpack fittings, as well as bike and kit repairs. The store will also feature interactive OS reality maps and a dedicated mountaineering area, ensuring a comprehensive shopping experience for all outdoor lovers.
For more information you can head over to the website here.
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Feature Image Credit: Go Outdoor
