Rangers retail and merchandise partner Castore have committed to a significant contract with the news that the company is moving its headquarters from Liverpool to Manchester.
The fledgling challenger brand are said to be about to create up to 300 new jobs as well as opening up to half a dozen new stores, across the UK.
“British premium sports fashion brand Castore is to relocate its headquarters from Liverpool to One Central Street in Manchester city centre.”
“The business has signed a 13-year lease with landlord Kinrise to occupy all available workspace – c.22,100 sq ft – within the building across five floors,” stated the Business Live report.
Castore co-founder Phil Beahon said: “We are delighted to be moving to Manchester and opening Castore House as our global HQ in the city.”
“It is clear for everyone to see that Manchester is a city with an incredible buzz about it and the number of fast-growing, high tech businesses in the city were a real draw for us when choosing our long-term home for Castore.”
The former mill complex is transformed, like much of Manchester city centre and appears to be a very good fit for the ‘digitally native’ brand.
This news comes following Castore’s arrival to Belfast, with the opening of their third Rangers Store – Glasgow Airport will very shortly be the fourth outlet launch as a result of the prospering partnership.
Rangers commercial and marketing director James Bisgrove is happy that early issues have been ironed out and that supporters will see a real difference to follow with next season’s full merch release:
“I’m confident and assured that what we experienced in the early days of the partnership with having to operate and launch a full range of kit and training wear in 2-3 month window, during a pandemic, will not be repeated.”
“It’s not an excuse, Rangers and Castore’s standards are high but on a few occasions, those standards were not met.”
“The situation we are in now is different, as well as Castore having a full understanding of the demand which they acknowledged that they underestimated.”
“I feel very assured and confident that into next season the launch of the new kits and training wear, as well as the designs, will be very well received by the Rangers support.”