GLASGOW'S luxury district is receiving a major boost as a designer store gets ready to open its doors.

Men's retailer END is launching its first Scottish store in the city's Merchant City.

The store, which stocks brands including Comme des Garcons - worn by stars including Pharrell Williams and Kanye West - will take over the former Jaeger premises.

The site at 190/208 Ingram Street will showcase designer menswear from sought after luxury brands along with cutting edge sportswear, from designers such as Stone Island.

Founded by Christian Ashworth and John Parker in 2005 to bring the pick of global brands to the North East of England, END has gained a reputation as one of the most forward thinking niche menswear businesses in the UK.

The Glasgow store, which will occupy the ground and basement levels in the listed building, follows the opening of END’s new flagship store in Newcastle’s Grainger Street in October.

The Glasgow site has been taken on a new 10 year lease.

The arrival of END will further reinforce the reputation of Glasgow as the premier shopping destination after London.

It follows the opening of Emporio Armani’s flagship store next door in CONNECT110NS, the new £70m office and retail development.

Upmarket Argentinian restaurant CAU recently opened in the same development.

No firm date has been set for the opening of END but it is likely to take place in spring.

Isla Monteith of Cushman and Wakefield, which acted for the landlord to secure the site, said: “The fact that END chose Ingram Street for its only Scottish store speaks volumes about Glasgow’s ability to attract the very best in luxury labels.

“The new CONNECT110NS building which is home to upmarket steak restaurant CAU and Emporio Armani has further increased the desirability of this part of the Merchant City which is home to other upmarket brands such as Hugo Boss, Mulberry, Agent Provocateur and Ralph Lauren and therefore is the perfect customer base for END.”

Anderston/City councillor Gordon Matheson said the Merchant City was a "superb example of inner city transformation".

He said: "Glasgow is Scotland's cultural and retail capital, Merchant City is Glasgow's principal cultural quarter, and Ingram Street is the gateway to this special part of town.

"I am delighted to welcome new designer shops to the area.

"It sets a tone, creates jobs, attracts visitors and is a sign of economic confidence in the city. And we shouldn't forget that the top-quality office space above the shops is occupied too by major companies employing hundreds of staff.

"Glaswegians are stylish. We like the good things in life and we like to occasionally treat ourselves and our loved ones. Where better to buy something special than Merchant City, a superb example of inner city transformation."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk