Member Article

50 years at the top for Newcastle’s LD Mountain Centre

Newcastle-based LD Mountain Centre, the independent retailer behind the Berghaus brand, is celebrating its 50th year in business.

Launched in 1966, the business specialises in selling high performance outdoor clothing and gear.

Defying high street trends and resisting the challenges propelled by large multiples, LD Mountain Centre is one of few UK-wide specialist retailers to maintain growth.

Standing as one of Britain’s largest and most experienced ski and snowboard product centres in the country, the store now has plans to develop this area of the business.

Roddy Mackay, Managing Director of LD Mountain Centre, paid tribute to the firm’s staff for the business’ success.

He explained: “It’s [the staff’s] expertise, level of knowledge and passion for the outdoors which sets us apart from the multiple retailers.

“Everybody in our team, whether they prefer to be on skis, board, bike or at the end of a rope, specialises in a particular discipline and seem to have this really special flair for conveying advice and knowledge on clothing and equipment to families, children, DofE participants, extreme adventurers and even those planning to summit Everest, in an appropriate way.

“The culture within our business stems from our exceptionally strong heritage, which started when our founders; the mountaineers Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison, set out to manufacture their own rucksacks.

“Their intention was to overcome their frustration with what they saw as a lack of decent outdoor gear and subsequently they founded the household name; Berghaus.

“From the beginning, the passion of these mountaineers and their infectious energy and commitment to share knowledge with outdoor enthusiasts has driven the business and still lies at the heart of LD Mountain Centre today.”