YFM Equality Partners have been shortlisted for the Venture Capital Trust Deal of the Year award at the Unquote British Private Equity Awards which will be declared in September. The firm have been selected for the award for their investment and potential they saw in the outdoor specialist company, Go Outdoors.
YFM Equality Partners invested in Go Outdoors in 1998 and since then the company has gone from strength to strength. This year, Go Outdoors was name one of the three fastest growing private equity backed companies in the United Kingdom, a credit that investors such as Venture Capital Group 3i have recognised as they have took out a stake in the company this year.
Go Outdoors, previously called ‘Camping and Caravanning Centre’ has grown rapidly recently since it started in 1969 and is now valued at over £100 million. By 2000, the Sheffield based company owned three stores, but now is in possession of 30 stores across the UK, including its flagship store on Hill Street in Sheffield. The company plans acquire a great deal of commercial properties to open a further 40 stores by 2015. The company has been acquiring commercial properties in out of town locations as they stock a variety of camping and outdoor products that require a larger than average store.
Go Outdoors have recently opened a 60 acre store in Stoke-On-Trent, which is just on the edge of the town centre. This commercial building was previously used as a Tesco store, but was acquired in April by Go Outdoors. It features climbing, cycling, fishing, horse riding and running departments, as well as an indoor tent display and climbing wall.
However, with Go Outdoors offering a wide variety of choice and at low prices, what future will rivals such as Millets have, who own many smaller shops and therefore have less choice for consumers?
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