Former football club boss in retail return

STEPHEN Thompson, the former chairman of Dundee United Football Club, has announced his return to the convenience retail scene in Scotland.

Mr Thompson, son of the late Morning, Noon & Night chief Eddie Thompson, has opened the first of 30 planned convenience stores that will trade as Eddy’s Food Station in Alloa. The name is a “nod” to his father.

The new store, which will employ 14 people, marks the retail comeback for Mr Thompson who was a senior figure at Morning, Noon & Night prior to the sale of the 50-store chain to Scotmid for £30 million in 2004. He subsequently spent a decade at the helm of Dundee United between 2008 and 2018, when he sold his stake in the club. The inaugural Eddy’s Food Station in Clackmannanshire will be the flagship store in a chain that is hoped will go on to employ a further

500 people across central Scotland over the next five years.

Mr Thompson said: “This venture is an extremely exciting first leg of a long journey for Eddy’s Food Station. The retail industry is an industry I know and love. It’s an avenue I’ve always wanted to return to and I couldn’t be happier that it’s finally happening.

“We are investing heavily in resources and research into our offering and services at each Eddy’s Food Station. We are passionate about giving our customers an unrivalled, superior experience and are taking this opportunity to shake up the market, creating a space that combines convenience and quality that goes above and beyond customer expectations. Our employees are fully equipped with information and positivity, implementing an environment that will give customers the best possible experience and create a sense of community.”

Eddy’s Food Station will work with Scottish food wholesalers, and provide customers with products tailored to the Scottish market, the firm said. It plans to work with further local food and drink producers as it expands.