PRE-CHRISTMAS celebrations will take place at Yate Shopping Centre next month to launch their forthcoming wintertime festivities.

There will be four hours of free music at the centre’s West Walk for their Now That’s What I Call Christmas concert on Thursday, November 10, from 5pm.

Bands include the pop groups and singers - Atomic Kitten, S Club 3, Kavana, and Black Lace, as well as local bands from the area.

The centre’s Marketing Manager, Tracy King, said: “The launch of the Christmas festivities is always a popular evening show and this year we have a high quality line-up of acts to keep the crowds entertained.

“With acts like these I recommend everybody makes a note in their diaries now so as not to miss out.

“Already the usual pop-up shops are opening so Christmas will kick-off with a real bang immediately after Bonfire Night.”

Some of the pop-up shops which have taken units and are now trading in the West Walk of the centre include Gift Box, What Christmas, and Calendar Club.

Calendar Club has its usual vast selection of calendars, planners and diaries on offer whilst What Christmas sell a range of Christmas decorations, trees and cards, as well as a items from their Halloween section. Gift Box sell a wide selection of gifts for the home.

A new addition the independent Parody Portraits, which sells novelty gifts and custom drawn caricatures, is due to open on November 10.

Centre Manager, Andrew Lowrey: “There is always great demand at this time of year from the pop-up shops looking to establish themselves.

“It’s the first time that Parody Portraits has taken space with us and they bring a new dimension to our offering alongside the old favourites of Calendar Club, Gift Box and What Christmas”.

Their full Christmas programme will be announced soon. For further information and other events at the Shopping Centre visit www.yateshoppingcentre.co.uk.