GO Outdoors to take former Wilko unit at Gateshead’s Metrocentre

JD Sports-owned GO Outdoors has signed for a 20,242 sq ft store at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, formerly occupied by Wilko, under its GO Outdoors Express fascia.

The store will mark the retailer’s only store in the region within a shopping centre environment, and will stock brands including Berghaus, Rab, OEX, Peter Storm, HiGear and North Ridge.

The Express concept generally carries a smaller range than the regular GO Outdoors stores, but the full range of the retailer’s offer can be shopped in-store via kiosks.

Lee Bagnall, CEO at GO Outdoors, said: "We are excited to be opening a new location at Metrocentre and to offer customers the best range of outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment.

"At GO Outdoors we champion time spent in nature for improved wellbeing and physical health, and we are happy to facilitate that for our customers in the North East."

Ben Cox, Director at CBRE-owned Sovereign Centros, the asset management and development company that controls leasing at the Metrocentre, added: "The signing of GO Outdoors is both a direct response to what our visitors want from the destination, and a great example of the importance of the Metrocentre to the North East.

"Late last year we were hit with a significant challenge as Wilko closed, but a proactive approach and the destination’s appeal has put us in a position to introduce a brand that belongs here, in good time.

"GO Outdoors joins us as we build momentum with major retailers like Frasers Group, ZARA and Primark, all committing to and investing in the Metrocentre."

GO Outdoors has been owned by JD Sports since 2017 and forms a key part of its growing outdoor sector along with Blacks, Millets and Tiso.