Hearts set to open new city centre store

HEARTS are to open a new superstore in the St James Centre by the end of next month.

It is hoped the new CityStore will significantly boost sales of merchandise as the Jambos look to cater for an ever-expanding fan base.

The club are also taking steps to address ticketing problems and plan to start a 24-hour ticket call centre service.

Run by a firm called Rocket, which is based near Luton, the centre is intended to handle all Hearts' ticket enquires promptly and efficiently.

Some supporters have complained about delays and problems getting through on the existing telephone system at Tynecastle and long delays when picking up and buying tickets in person.

Commercial director Ali Russell said: "Expanding our retail operation has been our aim for a considerable time and so we're therefore extremely pleased to be able to make this announcement.

"Our general retail manager Stephen McMenemy will lead the project, and with it a significant recruitment drive.

"We're sure that the convenience of this location, along with the possibility of expanding our ticketing operations into the CityStore in due course will make this a very successful project."

Hearts' new home kit, which was launched last Friday, is proving to be the most successful kit ever with sales up a staggering 60 per cent on the same period last year.

The Hearts superstore and Hearts Direct online store took the equivalent of a week of trading in just one night when the kit was launched.

A spokesperson for Hearts revealed: "The level of support is remarkable, and the new shirt has proved, commercially, to be the most popular of all time.

"It is fantastic that our supporters are reacting to the reality that 100 per cent of all profits are re-invested in the team."

It is hoped that the club's new Luton-based ticketing call centre will be up and running "very soon".

Meanwhile, supporters are reminded that tickets for this Sunday's clash with SPL champions Celtic at Tynecastle are on sale now.

A public sale for the match commenced on Monday and there are still a limited number of briefs available, although they are selling fast.

Supporters will be restricted to four tickets per transaction and the match is expected to be a sell-out.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 2pm.

Taken from the Scotsman