Dundee-based retail chain McLeish Brothers is set for significant expansion across Scotland with a new generation of convenience store-style delis, C-Store has learned.
The 60-year-old business, which was taken over by the former managing director of Aberness Foods, Stanley Morrice, has secured financial backing from a number of investors, including former Somerfield chief executive John von Spreckelsen, who has taken on the role of chairman.
The company is actively seeking sites for the new stores which are to be modelled on New York-style delis.
The first of the new-format stores opened in the heart of Aberdeen last week. The 1,800sq ft site carries McLeish's usual array of freshly prepared food to go and deli goods, as well as an international range including Thai, Chinese and Indian meals.
The outlet also includes an exclusive Thorntons range and contains a small café area.
The format was unique in the UK, Morrice said. He added: "It's an exciting time for us and very much a learning process for me because the type of stores we have now are very different from the conventional c-stores I ran at Aberness."