Two new stores have opened in Stirling’s Thistles shopping centre as it emerges from a tough year.
Management of the centre believe efforts to boost its fortunes following a series of big name closures over the course of the pandemic appear to be paying off.
The new outlets - Blue Inc and Leading Labels - will increase the Thistles’ fashion offering to locals and visitors as life slowly returns to a new normal following the latest Covid 19 lockdown easing.
Blue Inc - described as “a popular menswear brand offering affordable, on-trend looks” - will operate from a 2,322 sq ft unit, which previously housed Burton.
Meanwhile, Leading Labels - “a multi-brand fashion retailer providing a selection of top-quality brands in ladies’ and men’s clothing” - will be housed next door in a 3,155 sq ft unit.
The new stores join the centre following the arrival of watch and jewellery repair company, Time Inc and beauty kiosk, Beauty Boutique, in May this year.
Since reopening in April following the Covid-19 lockdown, shoppers have been returning to shop at the centre’s fashion, leisure, beauty and food and drink offerings.
The Littlest Pet Shop also launched earlier this month. A fun-filled free event for children of all ages, it provides littles ones with the opportunity to become a vet for a day and take part in lots of animal-themed activities during the month of July.
Thistles centre direction Gary Turnbull said: “We’re delighted to welcome Leading Labels and Blue Inc to the centre. They’re a fantastic addition and are already proving extremely popular with our visitors.
“After a troubling 2020 and start to this year things are really looking up, with footfall moving much closer towards what it was in 2019, pre-pandemic, which is really encouraging.
“While things slowly return to normal we are continuing to keep visitors safe with a number of Covid compliant safety measures in place to ensure everyone feels as comfortable as possible while shopping in the centre.”
The Wolf Pack Kids club is also taking place at the centre on the last Sunday of each month until November, offering kids the chance to take part in lots of fun activities completely free of charge.
For more information on Thistles, its opening hours and its shops and events, visit www.thistlesstirling.com.
Earlier this year, London-based architecture firm POD Architects were appointed by asset management group Scoop - who run the centre on behalf of its owners - and given the task of getting the centre back on its feet after losing stores such as Burton and the Debenhams outlet.
Scoop were appointed as the centre’s asset managers by AXA Investment Managers, who bought the site from Aberdeen Standard in a deal completed in December.
The Thistles provides more than 500,000 sq ft of retail space over a single level with a total of 90 units including anchors such as M&S, Primark, Boots, Next, Superdrug, River Island and JD Sports.
Along with stabilising the use of the Debenhams unit, Scoop’s other initiatives are believed to include delivering key lettings, the relocation/upsizing of existing retailers and the introduction of increased catering options.
