More than 30 Scottish retailers have applied for membership of Londis during its first month of operating north of the border. Sales director Terry Bedford said the majority of inquiries came from cash and carry customers, and many Asian retailers had been recommended to consider Londis by relations in England. The first Scottish independent retailer operating under the Londis banner was Maqsood Ahmad, from Cowdenbeath, Fife. He decided to join when he moved his 400sq ft news-agents into a larger greenfield site nearby, and has introduced an off licence. Londis plans to develop two flagship stores in Scotland. The first, a 24 hour Londis forecourt, opened last week on Great Western Road, Clydebank. The 1,500 sq ft store with a Wimpy franchise is owned by Saleem Akhtar, who also owns a Spar store. The second is due to open in August in Bearsden, Glasgow. Gordon and Elaine Strang own the 2,500sq ft newly built store. {{NEWS }}

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