Go Outdoors to open new flagship store at former John Lewis in York

Go Outdoors is opening a new 125,000 sq ft flagship store at the Vangarde Shopping Park in Huntingdon, York, taking over the former site of John Lewis that closed during the pandemic in early 2021.

Opening on 23 August, the new store will see the retailer relocate from its current York store at Foss Bank and will stock products from over 380 brands.

It will be the largest outdoor store in Europe and will house over 30 branded concession areas, including the first ever in-store Adidas Terrex space, camping gear from Yeti and Garmin watches and handheld devices with GPS.

The store will be officially opened by Go Outdoors ambassador and TV star, Helen Skelton, on 7 September, with the opportunity for customers to meet with brand experts from Adidas Terrex, Hunter, Montane, Garmin and The North Face.

Other brands in the retail mix will include Sweaty Betty, Under Armour, Regatta x Orla Kiely, Crew Clothing and Spotty Otter childrenswear.

Over the weekend of 7/8 September there will also be DJ sets, face painters and balloon modellers, as well prizes and free goodie bags being given away to the first 500 people through the door on Saturday 7 September.

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."

Deb O'Donnell, Centre Manager at Vangarde Shopping Centre, added: "The new Go Outdoors store is a welcome addition to the Vangarde shopping centre. Not only will it provide a dedicated space for our outdoor loving customers, but it will also provide 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 outdoor superstore will also include a new concept called Alpine Café, where customers can enjoy fresh meals made with locally sourced produce, as well as the UK’s first Jessops "discovery store" and Leisure Lakes’ latest cycling concept store.

Experts will be on hand to assist members of the public with helmet, boot and backpack fittings, as well as bike and kit repairs. There will also be interactive concepts with OS reality maps and a dedicated mountaineering area.

The store will create 42 new jobs with 28 employees joining from the existing Go Outdoors store in York.

Go Outdoors was founded in Sheffield in 1969 and was acquired by JD Sports Group in 2016.