PLANS to transform Yate Shopping Centre have been reported in the Gazette in recent months – and it was the same in April 1975.


On April 19, 1975, the designs for doubling the size of the shopping centre went on view to the public.


Owner MEPC Ltd wanted to invest £5million to create an enclosed extension of 232,000 sq ft.
A public meeting was organised to  discuss the plans, which included a large department store and a bigger Woolworths.


The number of parking spaces would almost double to over 1,700.


Mr Milligan, regional manager of MEPC Ltd at the time, said: “What we are trying to do is give the people of Yate and the surrounding areas more of a choice.”