Bank support helps transform Glasgow toy store

12th October 2012

A renowned Glasgow-based comic and toy retailer is set to create seven full-time jobs when it opens the doors at its new store at Silverburn this week with a little help from Optimus Prime of the Transformers and Clydesdale Bank.

A1 Toys has received a significant six-figure investment from Clydesdale Bank’s Glasgow Business & Private Banking Centre, allowing it to open its fourth store in and around Glasgow.

The company was originally set up by brothers David and Kenneth Burns 17 years ago as A1 Comics but has since diversified into selling toys and games. A1 Toys stocks a wide range of childhood favourites from Ben 10 to Barbie and WWE figures.

A1 Toys’ Silverburn store will officially open this Saturday (13th October) with a special guest visit by the Optimus Prime truck from the Transformers series of films. To compliment the new store’s opening the A1 Toys website has also been redesigned and now offers an improved range of services, including enhanced payment processes.

David Burns, owner of A1 Toys, said:

“A lot of big shopping centres these days don’t really have a toy offering so it is particularly pleasing for us to be opening our fourth store in one of Scotland’s premier shopping centres.

“We offer a traditional toy store environment where children can come in and see the toys up close. Our stores mix the traditional with the modern and stock all the big brands and latest crazes which means we usually have something to suit most age ranges.”

“We have been business customers of Clydesdale Bank since we started, and their continual support during that time has been invaluable as our business has grown.”

To coincide with the new store’s opening and the school holidays, A1 Toys has a number of events and promotions planned during its first week at Silverburn. These include visits from Darth Vader and Imperial Stormtroopers as well as an appearance by the Master Chief, lead character in the Halo videogame, and free toy give-aways.

Robert Gibson, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Regional Business & Private Banking Centre in Glasgow, said:

“We are always proud when a successful business which we have supported for a number of years goes from strength to strength and by opening its fourth store, A1 Toys is certainly doing that.

“A1 Toys has become one of Glasgow’s best known and loved independent retailers, and it is very satisfying to see a family run business succeeding, expanding and creating new local jobs.”