Scottish food retailer opens third location with ambitions to create 500 jobs

Larbert has been confirmed as the third Eddy’s Food Station location, opening today, hot on the heels of the inaugural Alloa store which opened just a few months ago, and the Greenock store last week.

The newest venture from Stephen Thompson, former CEO and co-founder of Morning, Noon & Night, Eddy’s Food Station has plans to open 30 stores, creating 500 jobs across Scotland, over the next five years.

The Alloa store has already created 14 new jobs and the two new store openings bring employment opportunities in excess of 30, with 15 of those roles at the Larbert store. Costcutter has also been announced as the main supply partner for the three Eddy’s Food Station stores with plans to supply all 30 once open.

Formerly a Spar and NISA store, the Greenock and Larbert stores respectively, will initially retain their current look, however, both sites will see “significant renovations” in the coming months transforming them into “bright, modern-day” stores, in line with the Eddy’s flagship Alloa location. The renovation will also see a ‘Food-To-Go’ offering introduced.

The Alloa store opening marked the retail comeback for Stephen Thompson, who is the son of, and worked alongside Eddie Thompson OBE, co-founder of convenience store chain Morning, Noon & Night. One of the most significant retail deals in Scotland saw the chain of 50 stores sold for £30m in 2004.

Stephen Thompson, chief executive at Eddy’s Food Station, commented: “The opportunity to operate a successful chain of convenience stores is very promising right now and these acquisitions, in very quick succession, are the next extremely exciting step in the long journey for the Eddy’s Food Station brand.

“When we launched in May we stated we planned to open 30 stores within five years. With two additional stores already added to the roster and more in the pipeline, we are very much on track to meet that target.

“By adding another very central location and launching our first store in the west of Scotland, we’re making roots in three very well-known and highly populated locations, building on the success of the Alloa store.”

Jamie Davison, business development director, Bestway Retail, added: “We are absolutely delighted that Costcutter will be the main supply partner for the three Eddy’s Food Station stores that have opened in Scotland and we very much looking forward to supplying the further 30 stores that they plan to open over the next five years.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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