Search the ‘Smiley Sunshines’ is the challenge facing visitors to Yate Shopping Centre this coming half term, Saturday, 29th May through to Sunday, 6th June.

Smilies will be sited in participating shop windows, from where competition forms can be collected, with an Entertainer voucher the prize for the winning entry drawn.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager: “We are looking forward to the full easing of lockdown restrictions, hopefully in late June, but for the meantime this  competition will give Centre visitors a challenge with a ray of sunshine!

“To enter, all you need to do is collect a form from participating stores and find as many Smiley Sunshines posted in shop windows as you can and post the completed form in the postbox in the centre square.

“We sincerely hope that this is the prelude to a fuller entertainment programme for the summer months but so much depends on the next few weeks. Now is the time to support the Centre and its traders, helping them recover from the impact of the last twelve months”.

Nostalgic Treasures in Yate Shopping Centre’s South Walk has rebranded as Bodhie with vintage inspired ethical fashion, homeware & modern day trends and a major eye on sustainability.

The past twelve months have posed society with many differing challenges, none more so than those faced by Bella Winder who faced the challenges of returning to her family home in Seychelles to attend her father’s funeral and then having to experience cancelled flights and a tortuous and complex return trip to the UK during the recent lockdown.

As she admits: “With the prospect of returning to lockdown in the UK and a closed business with no obvious future I was probably at the ultimate low point of my life. However, overnight I realised that I had to relaunch the business and face the challenge that life throws at us. It might have been the influence of my late father but, whatever, I was taken with a burning desire to resurrect the business and enlightenment filled my body with fire.

“I immediately decided to rename the business, formerly Nostalgic Treasures, redesign the premises and transform our offer to the public. Bodhie has now risen from the ashes and I knew if I was going to continue the business it had to be a new start and it had to be amazing! I want people to think it is a new shop opening in Yate and it has to be special for everyone.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager: “Many business owners have faced their own personal challenges over the last twelve months but Bella’s personal voyage is one that probably exceeds most! Her future plans to focus on eco products and recycling products is a welcome addition to the Centre’s offer and we wish her every success”.

Continuing, Bella said: “Over recent times, the Centre has lost some key outlets such as Body Shop and Accessorize so I want to fill the gaps they have left with the best selection of jewellery and wellbeing products in the area. The shop has had lots of changes: it’s more commercial now with products brought in from all corners of the world but it still has elements of the old shop.

“All products are carefully hand picked specifically to make my customers smile.  We’re dedicated and passionate about our customer’s needs and sending positive vibes all day every day is important to us. Beautiful homeware and ethically sourced and sustainable offers including products like vegan hair and body soaps; hand wash and body wash candles; bamboo cotton buds; wash cloths and so much more.

“Bodhie prides itself for its ethical sustainable development but we still recycle restored furniture and sell chalk paint and accessories to inspire customers in their own projects.  We also sell vintage vinyls, used guitars, vintage homeware and so much more. Nothing goes to the land fill if it can be avoided”.

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”.

Online trading has given a welcome boost to Yate Shopping Centre’s The Home Crafters business in West Walk over the last twelve months.

As the business looks forward to opening its doors again next Monday, owner Kirsty Bevan can’t help but express her relief that she will soon be dealing with customers coming through the doors once again: “We’re really pleased we had the Internet options to see us through lockdown but will be super-excited to be welcoming our customers back through the doors once more and will be keeping our fingers crossed that this time things will stay that way!”.

Shopping Centre Manager, Andrew Lowrey, has similar feelings: “It is great news that we are able to open the non-essential retail outlets as from next Monday but, at the same, time there must be an air of caution. The Centre Management Team will be working to ensure that both shoppers and traders are able to stay safe and enjoy the new found freedom moving forward.

“There’s a long summer ahead of us and we hope that we will be able to return to the good times, making the Shopping Centre the safe community hub that it has always been.”

The Home Crafters, a small independent business, celebrates its sixth year at the Shopping Centre next month. It stocks a wide range of art, craft and haberdashery supplies, whilst also dedicating shop shelf space to other small businesses giving them an opportunity to display and sell their handmade produce to local people.

Kirsty Bevan: “We have a multitude of crafters relying on our operation, to some we are their only outlet, and having our doors closed for such a long period has impacted their families too.

“If it wasn’t for the support of the Shopping Centre Management Team we may never have come through the pandemic. The Team has been super-helpful organising our lease renewal meaning we will be staying in the Shopping Centre for many years to come! This stability has given us the opportunity to employ more staff as we are currently recruiting for a weekend sales assistant and have a new store manager starting with us in May.

“This latest lockdown has felt much longer than the first! If it wasn’t for our loyal customers utilising our click & collect and home delivery services we would probably have never come out the other side!

“Thankfully, we are now on countdown to re-open. We’ve brought in some fantastic new products handmade by local, small businesses and been busy getting the shop ready and COVID-compliant once again.

“Our online sales exploded during lockdown with everyone resorting to the Internet to shop, but we’re really hoping that the joy of retail therapy will return to Yate with customers come flooding back to the Shopping Centre and our little shop to help us all bounce back from the impact of having been closed for so long.

“We are inviting all crafters and makers who have been busy creating throughout lockdown to get in touch about getting their products on sale in our shop and website by contacting us”.

Leeanne Worsey can’t wait for Monday, 12th April. Her aspirations to open a dedicated Beauty Salon and School, scheduled for the beginning of the year, are at last happening as lockdown restrictions are slowly lifted.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager, said: “Like several Centre businesses, Leeanne has had her plans for 2021 severely interrupted by the pandemic lockdown. However, following the lifting of pandemic restrictions on non-essential retail businesses as from next Monday, at last she is able to open the new Beauty Salon and School and get back on track.

“She is one of several business owners who have had their plans for 2021 kicked back but the Shopping Centre Management team are working with them all to ensure they get the necessary support. We now just need to get the shoppers back into the Centre whilst keeping to social distancing guidelines to help businesses make up for lost time.”

Leeanne Worsey, Co-owner of House of Luxxe, said: “It’s been a difficult twelve months with so many restrictions but we are very excited to re-open the barbers, the salon and the beauty school and look ahead to the future, when we’ll hopefully soon make up for lost time.  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!

“The new premises are very exciting times for us. In addition to our traditional salon services, we will be providing beauty courses that are open to everyone, with no requirements for prior experience. Class sizes are to be kept small for optimal learning and practical work, one-to-ones and bespoke training sessions are also available.”

Previously located on the upper floor at 8 West Walk where House of Luxxe barbers shop is located on the ground floor, the Beauty Salon has been fitted-out as a new custom designed salon to meet its future needs along with fully en-suite training facilities.

House of Luxxe has grown and developed over the last 17 months of ownership and despite Covid restrictions the Beauty Salon is now in its own premises, just three doors away from the gents barbers, with Hairdressers, Beauty Treatments, Skincare Clinics, Tanning, Massage Therapy and Aesthetic Clinics.

Full details on the courses and training opportunities are available on the House of Luxxe website.

Not many new businesses could report a ‘fantastic year’ after all the challenges of the last twelve months but Yate’s House of Luxxe sees it both as a learning curve and an overwhelming success.

Since opening, Ross Cox, co-owner with Leeanne Worsey of the business in Yate Shopping Centre’s West Walk, has increased the barbers from three to six full time staff along with two apprentices in the salon. Meanwhile Leeanne has seen the upstairs beauty salon register a very significant increase in business whilst also achieving an Awarded Education & Teaching qualification, alongside ABT Accreditation (Association of Beauty Therapists) for beauty courses.

Reviewing the past twelve months, Leeanne said: “It is difficult to keep pace with all that has happened since we opened a year ago. It’s been a fantastic experience, challenging with the pandemic and lockdown, but so exciting with the way in which the people of Yate have accepted us and our services.

“These new qualifications and accreditations will allow us to offer adults the opportunity to acquire beauty education that can provide improvement in the quality of their lives and those around them.

“In a way the lockdown was beneficial to Ross and I as we were able to reflect on what we had achieved and plan our next moves. We have some very exciting announcements in the pipeline but for us it is also important that we put back into the business what we are getting from it. Thus, part of our plan is to focus on industry training and education and we will be announcing more about this in due course.”

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager, congratulating the business, said: “It’s always exciting to hear about a new start-up business doing well and the entire Centre Management send their congratulations and best wishes to Leeanne and Ross. Independent stores and services are a vitally important part of our portfolio and bring that more personal touch to complement the High Street nationals whilst adding a very different flare to the offer.

“I know they and all the the team at House of Luxxe have worked hard and, despite the challenges facing them, they are seeing their efforts bearing fruit. Exciting times ahead for them, indeed!”

For the first anniversary on 26th October and subject to any Government guidelines, existing House of Luxxe customers will be able to enjoy a party-type atmosphere including a first anniversary cake, balloons and scratch cards offering discounts.

Further restrictions or not, social media will also play its part with two main prizes on offer for liking and sharing the House of Luxxe Facebook and/or Instagram accounts. Both prizes are not to be sneezed at: for men its one year of free haircuts with Ross, minimum of every three weeks, and for the Ladies, a year’s free of gel manicures with Leeanne, again minimum every three weeks.

Summing-up Leeanne, said: “Looking back it’s been a lifetime and life changing experience for both of us with House of Luxxe and we are very excited for not only our own futures but our team’s future,  as we are now, ultimately,  a team of individuals working together to achieve our dreams”.

An engagement on our long-term vision and ideas for improving Yate launches this week. We want the local community to tell us what they would like to see featured in the forthcoming masterplan which will be developed using the feedback received.

The Yate Town Improvement Masterplan will be put together alongside partners including Yate Town Council and Yate Shopping Centre and will build on and enhance the town’s existing strengths to ensure it remains a great place to live, work and visit.

To capture the views and suggestions from the local community to inform this plan, we have launched a six-week public engagement exercise which launches this week and runs until Monday 16 November.

As part of this, a dedicated website – Yatefuture.com – has been set up to enable the local community to view the vision and potential opportunities for Yate and have their say through an interactive map and feedback form.

Feedback from this public engagement will help refine emerging ideas and identify new opportunities to be included in the masterplan, which will be put to consultation next year.

The masterplan will define new opportunities for future growth, as well as proposing more walking and cycling routes and initiatives to reduce congestion and enhance air quality. It aims to meet the needs of all ages and there will be elements focusing on maintaining economic prosperity, and helping everyone access new jobs, new skills and homes. There will also be an emphasis on maintaining our existing wildlife and to create new habitats, along with creating new ways for people to enjoy nature by providing better access.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and the Strategic Environment Cllr Steve Reade said: “We are encouraging local people and business in the area to view our ideas for Yate and to provide their feedback through the dedicated website Yatefuture.com.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to have their say and play a part in shaping the future of the town and to help ensure Yate continues to be a great place to live, work, shop and socialise for all ages.”

Cllr John Gawn from Yate Town Council commented: “This is an opportunity for all residents, businesses, voluntary groups and visitors to have their say on what you would like us to focus our efforts on over the coming years to make Yate an even greater place to live and work. We urge everyone to please take some time out to read the proposals and let us know your views.”

Andrew Lowrey, manager of Yate Shopping Centre, said “To help our shops and the economy of Yate thrive in what will be challenging times ahead, we need to consider what will further enhance our offer so people continue to shop and work local. We ask all visitors to the town centre to respond and local businesses to consider what would help them and their employees before responding to this engagement on the future of Yate.”

The Yate Town Improvement Masterplan will support the new South Gloucestershire Local Plan, which will be published later this year. The masterplan will also reflect the objectives and themes from national, regional and local strategies and plans.

To view the plan and to have your say please visit www.yatefuture.com

Despite the unpredictable and at times rapidly changing situation, there will still be a Christmas flavour at Yate Shopping Centre this year.

Working with Yate Rotary Club, the Centre will stage a ‘Tree of Light’ where people can sponsor a light in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a special family event. The tree will be sited near the petrol station, facing the Link Road, so highly visible and bringing Christmas cheer to the whole town.

Marian Gilpin, co-ordinator for the Rotary’s Tree of Light event, said: “Although there will surely be many restrictions on our movements and gatherings, this special tree can be shared by everyone and will be lit from 27th November until 10th January to remind us of our loved ones.”

In view of the current pandemic restrictions, the switch-on will be streamed live on the Shopping Centre’s Facebook page.

Andrew Lowrey, Shopping Centre Manager, said: “It is very difficult toconfirm our actual plans except from confirming that there will be no parade and light switch-on event this year

“I know this will be a great disappointment to many visitors as in previous years the ‘switch-on event’ has proved an extremely popular attraction. However, we do appreciate the importance of the start of the Christmas season to both our traders and the public.

“Thus, we are erecting new Christmas decorations and the grotto will still feature in the centre square. In addition, this year we will be operating a Santa’s postbox, which will also be in the centre square,and all letters posted will receive a reply.

“Obviously we will make a point of keeping everybody informed if the event schedule should change as we get nearer the festive season but things are largely out of our hands as everything will depend on government guidance at the time”.

The only Christmas pop-up shop confirmed to date is the Calendar Club which will  be located at 7 North Walk and will open during October.

The new Miss Millies Fried Chicken restaurant at Yate Shopping Centre will open for business in North Walk on Monday 6th July.

To comply with current government guidelines, the well known brand will start by serving  Takeaway and online delivery orders with the 60-seater sit down restaurant scheduled to open as soon as the guidelines are relaxed.

Andrew Lowrey, Centre Manager, said: “Miss Millies is an exciting new addition to our portfolio of restaurants and its high profile location in the former Hotcha unit is a major boost to the front of the Centre.

It was scheduled to open earlier in the year but has been delayed due to the pandemic lockdown. With many of the non-essential retail units at the Shopping Centre having re-opened in mid-June and other catering and hospitality outlets able to re-open from early July, things are really starting to get back to normal. When fully open it will create 25 Jobs.

Miss Millie’s is a local business with roots in the industry stretching back to 1965 when the late Chairman Harry Latham set up KFC in the UK, before opening stores in the South West in 1988 under the Miss Millie’s brand. Harry and Colonel Sanders were very good friends, so much so that the name Miss Millie’s was given in honour of the Colonel’s eldest daughter Mildred. Mildred was famous for wearing of large framed spectacles, which the new branding depicts.

Today Miss Millie’s has nine branches across Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare, offering customers the highest quality chicken, cooked in its secret recipe coating. With big plans to rebrand and expand the business even further across the southwest, Yate seemed like the perfect place to start.

Yate Shopping Centre is asset managed by Ellandi and the property management is headed by Cushman & Wakefield. The Miss Millies letting was secured by the Savills Bristol office.

Andrew Lowrey, Centre Manager, said: “We are not expecting a mass opening of stores on 15th June but we will know more in the next few days. There are over 20 essential stores that have traded throughout the lockdown period and the remainder will start to open their doors as and when they have made the necessary preparations to welcome shoppers safely.

“We have already announced the extensive measures to ensure Centre visitors are able to social distance and we are now helping  individual shops with their plans. It is evident that the national high street retailers are focusing on a formal programme of openings with set locations first.

“As and when we receive further information we will advise the public but our priority at the moment is to ensure that we have a well-organised system in place to help the public get around the Centre whilst adhering to the Government’s social distancing guidelines. We are pleased that the majority of our customers are following the measures that we have implemented and our message is very much help us to help you.

“We would like to take this opportunity  to say a big thank you to the NHS for their wonderful selfless work and also to the retailers who have continued to trade providing essential goods and services to our customers.”