YATE Shopping Centre has confirmed that leading fashion retailer Next will open a store at the town's £25 million leisure complex.


The shopping centre has announced that Next, one of the country’s leading fashion retailers, is set to open a store in the new Cineworld cinema leisure development called Riverside.


The complex will bring eight restaurant cafes and three retail units as well as a Cineworld six-screen cinema.


Also confirmed as tenants are two of the country’s most popular restaurant chains, Italian chain Prezzo and American themed Dean's Diner, who will be opening alongside the cinema.


Mark Hull, group property controller of Crestbridge Corporate Trustees (CTC), the owner’s of Yate Shopping Centre, said: “The news that Next is opening a shop in Yate is fantastic for both the town and the scheme.


“It will be a catalyst to attract other retailers and is a major statement of confidence in both the town and Yate Riverside.


“We have always been aware that shoppers want a broader range of fashion choice at the centre and this will answer their demands. There can be few fashion names that attract so much attention.


“The two restaurant chains are also key in the success of the whole scheme as they will fulfil an important role in creating a vibrant night time economy around the new cinema.

"We have several other operators close to agreeing deals for both the retail units and restaurant units but bringing the first tenants onboard is always the major challenge.”


Work to clear the site for the leisure development started on February 9 on Link Road, and the first retail units are scheduled to open later this year and the cinema by Spring next year.


Andy Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre manager, said: “There is a real air of excitement around the shopping centre as the works at Yate Riverside get underway.


“Existing traders understand that bringing more high street names such as this into the town can only increase footfall and will lead to more activity across the centre as a whole.”