Independent tenants show confidence in Yate Shopping Centre

Independent tenants are showing their faith in Yate Shopping Centre with several opting to move to larger or more prominent premises in another frenzy of activity at the centre.

Roman staff have been informed that the shop will be relocating from its existing premises to 1 South Walk (the former Stead & Simpson unit) at the end of September. The ladies wear fashion retailer, which caters for all ages, has traded well in Yate under a temporary lease and is now up-sizing.

The independent ladies fashion shop Quest will then be moving from its current premises in North Walk to the former Roman unit at 19 East Walk.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager: “It’s great news that two existing traders are moving within the centre to better sites. Roman has the confidence to take out a new long-term lease and to move to larger premises with an independent retailer filling its existing premises.

“Quest’s move to a prime site and the recently announced Abraham Jewellers move show our commitment to retaining the smaller and independent businesses whilst trying to attract the larger high street names that generate the footfall.  We value our independents and recognise their importance to the mix and this sets us apart from other centres.” 

In another move Celly’s Hairstyle International, a unisex hair salon with nearly 30 branches nationwide, opened on North Walk last week and there is a further tenant lined up for 14 North Walk.

Andrew continued: “Having successfully filled the main units in both East Walk and the central square our priority now will be to address North Walk. We’ve attracted two high profile restaurants for North Parade – Hotcha and Bottelinos – and the emphasis moving forward will be to fill the remaining North Walk units.

“There are definitely encouraging signs in the economy and this is reflected in our vacancy levels: at the height of the recession a couple of years ago we had 24 vacant units but by the end of this year that will be halved! Furthermore, we have a stream of retailers interested in taking space at the Centre and are working hard to suit their needs”.

Meanwhile work on adapting the former Waves Nightclub for occupation by Anytime Fitness will start at the beginning of September with the premises being cleared prior to fitting-out starting in mid-October with opening scheduled towards Christmas.