Yate Shopping Centre is set to bring a burst of Easter excitement for families this April, with a series of free events designed to entertain children of all ages.

Taking place from 11am to 3pm in the Square, visitors can enjoy a range of activities across multiple dates:

• Easter Crafting Workshops on 9th and 16th April, offering children the chance to get creative with seasonal arts and crafts.
• Party Peeps Easter Party on 14th April, packed with fun, music, and interactive entertainment for the whole family.

In addition, an Easter Trail will run throughout the centre from the 1^st to the 19^th April, organised by St Mary’s Primary School on behalf of the Friends of St Mary’s. Families can explore the centre while taking part in the trail, with all proceeds supporting improvements to the school’s outdoor learning environment.

Bethan Scriven, Headteacher at St Mary’s Primary School, said:
“We’re raising money to develop our KS1 outdoor space so our children can move freely between the classroom and the outdoors. After successfully securing a grant for new fencing, we now want to create a safe, inspiring area where learning can continue beyond four walls. By improving our outdoor provision, we hope to give every child more opportunities to explore, enjoy and excel in their learning at St Mary’s.”

These free Easter events provide the perfect opportunity for families to come together, enjoy seasonal activities, and support a meaningful local cause.

A NEW HOME AT MAXI LOUNGE

After an incredible run of rotating kitchens, we’re excited to announce that The Falcon Steakhouse will be taking on the kitchen at Maxi Lounge full-time from Tuesday 17th February.

What started as a four-kitchen rotation has grown into something bigger than we ever expected, and this feels like the natural next step.

This isn’t goodbye to the legends who helped shape it — we’ll still be welcoming guest kitchens for special occasions, including Tasty Ragga and Bristol Soul Bowl. As for I Scream Tacos, the only way to get your fix now will be by catching them at the many festivals they’ll be popping up at this summer (keep an eye on their page for details).

What this means at Maxi Lounge:
• A Falcon-led menu that we’ll keep evolving
• Proper food, done properly
• Served alongside snooker, darts, pool and live sport
• The full menu available to eat in or takeaway
• Buns from Hobbs House Bakery
• Beef from our own family farm in Wotton-under-Edge

Food served daily: 12–2 & 6–9
(Might as well grab a pint if you’re collecting a takeaway…)

It’s a new chapter, a big challenge, and a massive opportunity — and we can’t wait to see where it goes.

Save the Date for Yate Ageing Better Festival 2026!

New year, new diary – Yate Town Council is putting a pin in your calendar to celebrate ageing better, at its annual fun-filled Ageing Better Festival in Yate Shopping Centre.

On Wednesday 15th July 2026, 10am till 2pm come along and enjoy our showcase of local groups and activities, find support from information services, and join in with our wellbeing and creative performances. If you’re thinking of making new friends, learning a new skill or hobby, or maybe rekindling old favorites, at this FREE event you can find out what Yate and the surrounding areas have to offer, for people approaching and already enjoying their retirement.

Are you a group or organisation helping our community to age better? We are excited to announce that 2026 stallholder and performer applications are NOW OPEN and we would love to hear from you.

Brought to you by Yate Town Council, with support from our partners at Yate Shopping Centre and Active Lifestyle Centre Yate – save the date and tell a mate!

To find out more about the Yate Ageing Better Festival, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, visit our website, or contact Yate Town Council at communityprojects@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01454 869441.

Aldi, the award-winning discount food retailer have completed the development of the new Yate Aldi within the Riverside retail & leisure park off the Link Road.

The planned Aldi food store will bring new life to the area and up to 40 new full-time equivalent jobs at industry-leading rates.

Simon Glover, Real Estate Director at Aldi, said:

“We are committed to revitalising this empty site and providing people in Yate and the surrounding areas with access to our award-winning range of low-cost, high-quality products. This new store will not only improve local shopping options but also contribute to the economic growth of the area through job creation.”

The new Yate store is scheduled to open on Friday 12th December 2025 at 8am.

More information is available at http://aldiconsultation.co.uk/yate