Flame Heating Group is gearing up for further growth with the launch of three trade counters in Scotland, following a £300,000 investment.

The fast growing Heating & Plumbing merchant has secured three sites in Scotland: two in Glasgow and another in Edinburgh, as it prepares to expand outside of its traditional North East roots.

Flame expects to create up to 25 jobs with the expansion, including directorship roles, branch management and supervisory positions at the trade counters.

The Gateshead-headquartered company currently operates throughout the North East of England from seven trade counters, having launched with a single branch in 2011.

Danny Byrne, Development Director for Scotland at Flame Heating Group, said: “It is an exciting period for everyone associated with Flame as we are set to launch branches outside of the North East for the first time. The move has the potential to open up opportunities in new and emerging markets, as we look to increase our branch count across the UK.

“We are also committed to creating jobs and boosting the local economies in which there is a Flame branch. Our expansion into Scotland has the potential to significantly increase and strengthen our workforce, while supporting our growth plans.”

John Savage, Managing Director of Flame Heating Group, added: “This is a bold and ambitious move for the company, as we look to extend our presence to deliver further growth. We have enjoyed a great deal of success in the North East, which I am hoping to replicate in Scotland, and launching three branches in two of the key Scottish cities is a major signal of intent, and the first step to making Flame a national brand.”

Picture shows Danny Byrne with John Savage