AN OUTDOOR equipment store which has created 45 new jobs was opened yesterday by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Sue Galloway.

The 34,000 sq ft GO Outdoors store, at the former Homebase site in Foss Bank, has an indoor climbing wall which can be used by customers with an expert on hand to offer advice. There is also a 12,000 sq ft outdoor area permanently displaying tents.

More than 400 people applied for work at the store.

A spokesman said a range of activities would be taking place at the weekend, including face painting, bouncy castles, a falconry display and a one-man band to entertain customers. Store manager Carl Abbott said the store would make the outdoors much more accessible for the people of York, whether they were cycling, walking, climbing or camping.

John Graham, chief executive of GO Outdoors, said the York store was part of the company’s ambitious growth plans for 2011.