SPORTS DIRECT JOINS YATE SHOPPING CENTRE TEAM

Sports Direct is the latest high street brand to commit to Yate. It will be opening a new store in East Walk at Yate Shopping Centre alongside the M&S Simply Food Store.

The new store will comprise of a single unit on the ground floor and be spread across three units on the upper floor and will create further employment opportunities for the local community.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager, said: "The signing of Sports Direct will add to our retail offer and demonstrates Yate Shopping Centre's popularity as a shopping destination. This is a major signing and will be a terrific boost for the town – and further high profile announcements are in the pipeline!

"Ever since Dominion Corporate Trustees took over the shopping centre seven years ago, it has been their intention to attract more high street brands to complement the local traders. This can only be achieved when there are buildings that suit the modern trading format and the new retail units in East Walk have been designed with this in mind.

"Construction work on the new retail units in East Walk is scheduled to start in late summer once the toilets have been relocated to West Walk."

During the last month Poundland, 99p Store, and Wetherspoons – some of the country's most prominent high street names - have all opened in Yate Shopping Centre.

"These stores have attracted new customers to the centre and with our loyal customer base we are all really encouraged that Yate Shopping Centre has a bright future", continued Andrew.

"Whilst the economy has had a major impact on the retail industry, the Centre has managed to hold its own by replacing some of those that have gone out of business with new names. Our vacancy rates are below the national average and there is still strong demand for premises from national chains."