New shop Go Outdoors brings 45 new jobs to Gloucester
FORTY five new jobs will be created when a new store opens in next month.
Retail giant GO Outdoors will start trading at the former B&Q site in Trier Way in October.
The site has become one of the most hate eyesores in Gloucester after the doors closed in 2005.
The DIY giant moved to a new shop at the St Oswald's trading estate in the city.
Mike Williams, head of property and business acquisitions at GO Outdoors, said they were excited about the store's arrival.
Mr Williams said: "We've had successful launches recently in Bedford, Norwich and Southampton and hope the Gloucester opening will follow suit.
"Our goal is to make the outdoors accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Our team of staff is committed to giving friendly and impartial advice for every outdoor pursuit – whether you're a first-time camper or an experienced explorer."
The 41,000 sq ft store will include a five-metre climbing wall, a gait analysis machine, a 12,000sq ft tent display area and free parking for 200 cars.
GO Outdoors specialises in equipment for horse riding, walking, cycling, fishing, climbing, running and skiing and stocks thousands of products suitable for all levels of outdoor enthusiast.
The Gloucester superstore is part of GO Outdoors' 2010 expansion programme.
Gloucestershire County Councillor Sonia Friend (Lab, Barton and Tredworth) welcomed the new store, saying: "I have been campaigning for years to get something on that site and I am delighted that finally something is opening there.
"It is an added bonus that 45 jobs are being created there, I am very pleased. Hopefully it will bring more people down this end of the city too and they can sample the wonderful specialist shops we have in Barton Street."
Gloucester City councillor Said Hansdot (Lab. Barton and Tredworth) said: "It's great that we are getting this many jobs in the current economic climate, it's 45 more than we have at the moment so that's brilliant news.
"It is really good that this shop is opening there, it's been derelict for some time, so it's good news all round."
14 Comments
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by Kay Powell, Robinswood
Sunday, September 05 2010, 8:55PM
“The old B&Q building is not an eyesore; people have been complaining about it because of the scum who were attracted to the site once it closed. Anyway, the building will only be painted royal blue and have necessary repairs done - otherwise it's not going to look that different.”
by timmy, glos
Sunday, September 05 2010, 6:04PM
“The old b&q site was very much an eye saw, its great the old place is gonna be used and freshed up. I hope it will be staying a good many years :)”
by chris, glos
Sunday, September 05 2010, 12:53PM
“Bob on the Dole, Gloucester, i dont care about the pay as it cant be any worse than what im on now plus it must be better working there than where i currently am now in some crappy place they think is a business,”
by Sceptic, Glos
Sunday, September 05 2010, 10:34AM
“Yes it is nice to see the store using the old B&Q site, BUT will this take yet more trade out of the centre of the city? Millets etc may end up closing and leave the gate streets even more barren!”
by Bob on the Dole, Gloucester
Sunday, September 05 2010, 8:27AM
“Chris, if you have been interviewed and not heard anything then I would assume "you are not wanted en voyage"
I wouldn't worry mate, they are low paid roles and you would have to work weekends. I'm better off on JSA, the housing benefit pays the rent, council tax paid and all the Bargain Hunt & Jeremy Kyle I can watch.”
by A C, City
Saturday, September 04 2010, 10:49PM
“They were interviewing in the week at the Guild Hall”
by chris, glos
Saturday, September 04 2010, 9:27PM
“I actually prefer the new college building to the old b&q site but the new gloscol site is pretty poor to be honest”
by David, Gloucester
Saturday, September 04 2010, 8:53PM
“"The site has become one of the most hate eyesores in Gloucester after the doors closed in 2005."
Do you seriously have any basis for that statement, ignoring the grammatical error. You can't use the word "hate" in that context - it isn't an ugly building. There are far more ugly buildings than this the prime one being the new college complex at the docks.......”
by chris, glos
Saturday, September 04 2010, 8:38PM
“Why should it be free parking, if you have enough mney for a rail ticket then you pay for the parking at the station”
by Petra Jordan, Badminton
Saturday, September 04 2010, 7:22PM
“It is gratifying to learn new jobs are finally on the cards for this old B&Q store. But will it offset hundreds of jobs that will go at Gloucestershire county council in the coming months. Though council staff should not be exempt from this depression, and be treated like the rest of us mortals, I do nevertheless feel sorrow for many of the minions who are poorly paid and do not enjoy a vast pension pot like the executive managers receive. But do you think the conservative administration will despatch those earning over £3,200 per week? Begad, No. Perry, old fellow, all's well at last, eh. Just blame the previous Labour administration for hiring them in the first place. Old Boy..Somehow I don¿t think that will wash because the ratepayers are after blood. To the bunkers Perry and lock the doors.”