Non essential retail preparing to exit lockdown restrictions

Non-essential shops in Yate Shopping Centre are on target to re-open their doors on Monday, 12th April and are actively making preparations to welcome shoppers.

The Prime Minister yesterday confirmed that all non-essential retail shops, personal care premises such as hairdressers, beauty and nail salons will be able to re-open their doors on Monday, 12th April whilst adhering to the Government’s guidance on social distancing measures.

Andrew Lowrey, Centre Manager, said: “It is great news that the Centre will once again be very nearly fully open although there will still be restrictions on cafes and licensed premises who will only able to serve customers outdoor.

“It has been a tough twelve months for the Centre but as recent research has shown and one of the key points we always make, Yate Shopping Centre is very resilient to change and such hard times. There have been a couple of unit changes but these are due to national policies rather than local issues.

“We are also welcoming SoBrows by Sofia, who although ready to take clients back in early February, is only now able to open its salon. Another existing beauty salon, House of Luxxe, has also expanded into new premises with its beauty arm moving into premises three doors from its gents barbers salon.                                                                                         

“As the lockdown restrictions are lifted further going into May there will be the tendency for people to get out and about. The next few months will be critical in the fight against the pandemic and the Centre Management Team will be on hand to help all visitors and traders to ensure we play our part in keeping the ball rolling!

“Hopefully, if things continue to improve we can look forward to a late summer program of activities and make the Centre a place of fun and excitement for all to enjoy”.

Sofia Galloppa of SoBrows by Sofia will be opening her new salon at 18 North Walk, having spent the majority of this year’s lockdown preparing for the big day: “It’s been my lifetime ambition to open my own salon and at last the big day is on the horizon. I am just so looking forward to welcoming our first clients and, along with our appointment as the new Bristol HD training academy, it is all very exciting.”

Leeanne Worsey of House of Luxxe in West Walk is also relishing the fresh challenges opening up after the lockdown; “It’s been a difficult year with so many restrictions but we are very excited to be re-opening the barbers, the salon and the beauty school, looking ahead to the future and better times.  We are very grateful for all the support we have received so far and we can’t wait to open our doors again, better days are coming!”.

Another independent trader looking to the future is Home Crafters, based in West Walk, as owner Kirsty Bevan explains: “This recent lockdown has felt much longer than the first and if it wasn't for our loyal customers utilising the click & collect and home delivery service we would probably have never come through it!

“Our online sales exploded during lockdown with customers resorting to internet shopping. Now we're really looking forward to the joy of retail therapy returning to Yate with customers flooding back to the Shopping Centre to help us all bounce back from the impact of having been closed for nine of the last twelve months”.