JD Sports opens in Eastgate, Basildon

JD Sports, the retailer which calls itself the "King of Trainers", has opened a 7,929 sq ft store at the Eastgate shopping centre in Basildon, Essex.

More than 3,500 shoppers flocked to the opening day on Saturday 10 August. The store is located next to Pandora on the ground floor.

Eastgate manager, Ian Clark, said: “The new store is large and stylish and will make a real impact in Eastgate. JD is always a big draw thanks to its wide appeal for shoppers looking for great sportswear and leading fashion. It’s a perfect fit for Eastgate and will be a real destination store for Basildon.”

JD Sports manager, Emma Howell, added: “The new store looks amazing. It’s the newest JD shop-fit and we have the latest footwear and clothing from the top brands that people will see on social media. We have a much bigger range than Basildon has had before.”

According to Howell the opening day was “insanely busy” with a DJ instore, break-dancers, a football freestyler and a female beatboxer.

The premium new store replaces the JD Sports Town Square shop in Basildon, which the brand has been looking to relocate and improve from for some time.