Street Soccer, the youth charity supported by Sir Alex Ferguson, has opened its first ‘community store’ at Ocean Terminal, the waterfront shopping centre in Leith, Edinburgh.
The Dugout, has signed up for a 1,750 sq ft unit on the first of the centre’s three floors of retail and leisure space and will be used for a combination of retail sales, and meeting and chill out places for the young people the charity supports.
Established in 2009, Street Soccer is a social enterprise which uses football inspired training and development as a means to empower young people to make positive changes in their lives.
Michelle Macleod, Ocean Terminal’s Centre Manager, said: “The nature of the retail industry has been evolving and changing for some time and we have always felt it important to respond to the significant regeneration happening within our local community. The Dugout is an example of how retail space can be used effectively to create something different and exciting for local people and we are delighted to welcome Street Soccer to Ocean Terminal.
“As a centre we have always sought to innovate and adapt, such as through our leisure partnerships and our connections with the local community. Events of the past year have provided further opportunity to reassess and re-evaluate the shopping experience of the future. Right now, the space that the centre has to offer means we can provide a safe and comfortable place to shop and as COVID restrictions allow, we are ready to welcome visitors back with some new offerings as well as old favourites.”
