THE first occupants of the recently completed flats within the Yate Shopping Centre complex moved in earlier this month.

Eight of the 13 flats, a mixture of one and two-bedroom units, above retail units in South Parade, South Walk and West Walk, have been occupied already and there are still one one-bed and four two-bedroom flats available for rent.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre manager, said: “The Government and South Gloucestershire Council encourage landowners to bring back redundant space in town centres above retail units to help meet the urgent requirement for more housing.

“Over the last couple of years we have been looking at our options and identified several areas where we can make badly needed residential units available for public rental.

“We had an immediate demand for most of the flats, but now have five remaining for rent and are interested to hear from any parties wishing to be considered as tenants.

“The shopping centre already has 34 long-established residential tenants and this is the latest move to ensure all space within the complex is used effectively, making both a social and economic contribution to the town’s economy.”

Anybody interested in renting a flat should contact Jeny Hillson, Yate Shopping Centre, on 01454 318554 or visit yateshoppingcentre.co.uk