Centre is full of summer lovin’
This month our Street Style Squad visited The Centre, Livingston to catch up with shoppers who were out for the day buying everything from holiday clothes and accessories to birthday pressies and sweet treats from M&S.
And while they were out in the shopping centre, which is home to more than 150 retailers – including New Look and schuh – they could also enjoy a bite to eat from the fantastic mix of restaurants such as wagamama, Nando’s and Stack & Still.
The shoppers shared their fabulous new purchases with us in return for a Gift Card worth £25, which can be used in over 80 stores and all restaurants in The Centre.
First up on our style radar was nurse practitioner, Rebecca Grant, who regularly visits The Centre, Livingston with her friends to enjoy a day out browsing the shops.
On the day our Street Style Squad caught up with Rebecca she was shopping with her friend Fiona, who she has known for over 20 years as they went to school together.
They always take the opportunity to have a good catch up when they visit Livingston for a day of child-free shopping and enjoy lunch together in one of their favourite restaurants – wagamama.
Next up was Rebecca’s pal Fiona who had been shopping in New Look for accessories.
Fiona, who has a background in retail, loves a day out in the mall and was shopping for all the family to freshen up their summer wardrobes ahead of an upcoming holiday – their first trip abroad for three years, which she was very excited about!
Fiona snapped up a stylish black jumpsuit for herself from New Look, getting her shopping trip off to a great start!
It also was great to catch up with Amy Wilson from Winchburgh on the day, who is the co-owner of a blinds company, based in Broxburn.
Amy, who is counting down the
days until her summer holidays, was picking up a few summer fashion pieces in M&S and Primark for herself and her daughter.
With lots of beautiful pastel colours, floral tiered midi dresses, broderie blouses and platform sandals at M&S just now, it’s easy to pick out an entire summer wardrobe for every occasion.
Margaret Barnes from Winchburgh, who was just back from her holiday abroad, was next up to chat to us about her day out in The Centre.
Every week she enjoys a browse through the shops and picks up some nice treats from M&S.
She was helping her daughter and granddaughter track down summer clothes and accessories in Primark for their forthcoming holiday in the sun – from shorts and t- shirts to a handheld mini fan and reusable water bottles.
Student nurse, Katy Mitchell, was next up and it was great to hear all about her planned birthday celebrations this week and being treated to a day out shopping with her mum Amanda Mitchell and grandma, Maggie Miller. First up for Katy was a trip to Primark where she stocked up on jeans and summer tops, then a visit to schuh for a pair of Nike Air Force 1 trainers, before heading for a celebratory lunch.
A family visit to the mall is a regular occurrence for them where they all get to enjoy some quality time together and do a bit of shopping.
There’s never been a better time to hit the shops and update your summer staples with so many different trends around from tailored mix and match separates like blazers, waistcoats and Bermuda length shorts, to bold monochrome prints – in everything from statement satin to classic linen.
Blues, pinks, yellows and greens are just some of the bright colours of the season and on-trend accessories include retro platform sandals, chain belts which look great with floaty dresses, crossbody bags and baseball caps – not just for the sporty look as they also work well with crisp tailoring.
The good news is that loafers in all shades, including caramel, which is popular this summer, are here to stay which is music to the ears of people opting for a comfy but chic look. Ashley Bisland, Deputy Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston said: “This summer is an exciting time for so many people as they head off into the sun for their first holiday abroad in three years.
“We’re seeing so many shoppers really enjoying visiting us to refresh or renew their summer wardrobes and stock up on holiday essentials like summer hats and flip flops.
“We have such a fantastic variety of stores in the mall which really do cater for everyone who visits us and great eateries, including Chiquito, NowNow Cafe and Costa Coffee where visitors can either fuel up before they shop or take the weight off their feet afterwards.
“As a thank you to our shoppers, who we loved catching up with to find out a little bit more about their visit to the mall, we were delighted to give them all a £25 Gift Card to treat themselves to something nice, or for them to enjoy lunch on us.”