JJB Sports urged to come to Edgar Street

According to the ESG (Edgar Street Grid) website there is a chance that JJB Sports might be involved in the redevelopment of the Blackfriars End of the Hereford United Football ground.

Sportswear chain, JJB, whose plans for an out of town sports gear warehouse and innovative health and keep fit gym, have been turned down at a public planning enquiry, will be encouraged by ESG to incorporate the project in a redeveloped Edgar Street football stadium.

JJB was started by Dave Whelan in 1971, when the ex-footballer acquired a single sports shop in Wigan.

Last June Whelan, who owns Wigan football club, sold his 29% holding in JJB for £190m.

He is now an honorary life president of JJB.

Below is a little about JJB Sports from their website:

JJB Sports plc is one of the UK's leading high street sports retailer. JJB was originally formed in 1971 to acquire a single sports store which had been established in Wigan during the early 1900s. The store portfolio grew to 120 stores in 1994, at which point the Company was floated on the London Stock Exchange.

In 1998, JJB Sports acquired the business of Sports Division, which was JJB's largest competitor at the time. The acquisition then made JJB the largest sports retailer in the UK.

JJB now trades from over 410 stores nationwide with the principal aim to supply our customers with high quality sports clothing, footwear, replica kit, bikes and fitness / golf equipment at competitive prices.

JJB also currently operates a rapidly expanding chain of combined fitness club / superstores together with a number of soccer centres. The combination of a fitness club and superstore operating from the same site provides two income streams and enables JJB to offer its fitness club members very competitive membership fees, delivering excellent value for money for the members.

---