Former Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson’s new convenience store business is expanding into Fife.
The business is following in the footsteps of his father Eddie, who started Morning Noon & Night in 1991.
When the retail chain sold to Scotmid for £30 million in 2004, with Stephen at the helm, it had 50 shops and 800 staff.
After Eddie Thompson’s death in 2008, Stephen succeeded him as Dundee United chairman.
Taking over family-run Fife stores
The first Eddy’s Food Station was opened in Alloa in May.
It expanded with two new stores in Greenock and Larbert, but will now open two more in Ceres and Leuchars.
The two Fife stores were previously owned by John Mitchell and have been in the Mitchell family since 1923.
The fourth-generation business was established by John’s great grandfather, with John taking control in 2007.
John is selling the business after considering the move for a few years.
He said: “I’ve given it a lot of thought and it finally felt like the right time.
“It’s been an incredibly busy and rewarding few years.
“I am looking forward to taking some time away from retail and embracing a change in lifestyle before I decide where to focus my efforts.”
‘Key step’ in growth of convenience stores
The former Spar stores, on Leuchars Main Street and Ceres Main Street, are being rebranded as Eddy’s Food Station stores this week.
Mr Thompson said: “These acquisitions are a key step in growing the Eddy’s brand.
“It also secures a future for the 36 staff employed across the Ceres and Leuchars stores.
“We are very much on track to open 30 stores within five years and these key locations in Fife play a big part in our growth strategy.”
He said he was “incredibly proud” of what Eddy’s Food Station has achieved in the months since the business was set up.
“The two stores have an excellent reputation in Ceres and Leuchars,” Mr Thompson added.
“We’re focused on giving both communities a service they can rely on, and a brand they can trust.”
Head of retail at Eddy’s Food Station Mike Leonard said: “We’re thrilled to take over the reins from John and the family business.
“These are our first two stores in the Fife area. They will really set the tone for how the brand shows up in the region.
“This is an important step for Eddy’s and one we’re really paying attention to.”
Mr Thompson feels the business – his first venture since selling his shares in Dundee United in 2018 – is on track to meet his ambitions.
He wants to open 30 stores within the first five years, which he hopes would create around 500 jobs.
Conversation