GO Outdoors will open the largest outdoor store in Europe on 23rd August 2024 at Vangarde Shopping Park, York. The grand opening weekend is scheduled for 7th and 8th September, with a host of events planned to celebrate the launch.
The store’s opening will be marked by an appearance from GO Outdoors brand ambassador and TV star Helen Skelton. The weekend festivities will include demonstrations from brands like Weber, Campingaz, along with opportunities to meet experts from Garmin, Adidas Terrex, Hunter, Montane, The North Face, and Thule. The event will feature face painters, balloon modellers, DJs, and giveaways, with the first 500 groups entering the store on Saturday receiving free goodie bags.
The expansive 125,000 sq. ft store will feature over 380 brands covering a wide range of outdoor activities including walking, camping, caravanning, watersports, running, fishing, horse riding, and climbing. The store will host more than 30 branded concession areas, including the largest Yeti store in Europe and a new Garmin store with the UK’s most extensive range on display.
The store will also feature the UK’s first Adidas Terrex in-store concession and Stanley’s largest store in Europe, offering a wide selection of products. Additionally, it will house the biggest World of Weber concession with over 30 grills on display, a White Stores Outdoor Living store, and Leisure Lakes latest cycling concept store. The UK’s first Jessops discovery store will also be part of the new GO Outdoors York store.
GO York will include the Alpine Café, a new concept café offering fresh meals made with locally sourced produce, providing a relaxing space for customers.
Deb O’Donnell, Centre Manager at Vangarde Shopping Centre, commented, “The new GO Outdoors store is a welcome addition to the Vangarde shopping centre. Not only does it provide a dedicated space for our outdoor-loving customers, but also provides a community hub where customers can relax, meet and enjoy their shopping time. We are excited to open the doors to Europe’s biggest outdoor retail store and welcome our new customers to the GO Outdoors York store.”
The store will also offer new brands such as Sweaty Betty, Under Armour, Regatta X Orla Kiely, Crew Clothing, Hunter, Spotty Otter, Thule, and Karcher.
Lee Bagnall, CEO of GO Outdoors, said, “I am extremely excited and proud to open the biggest outdoor store in Europe. I am thrilled to be able to bring the very best brands, products and services to our customers in York, in our new game-changing flagship store.”
The new store has created 42 jobs, with 28 employees joining from the old GO Outdoors York store. 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 concepts with OS reality maps and a dedicated mountaineering area.
