CHIPPING Sodbury will be celebrating the success of its newest shopping area with a family fun day next weekend.

Hatherell’s Yard opened a year ago this August as a link between the High Street and a Waitrose store which opened on Barnhill Quarry the previous October.

As well as four permanent shed units, the yard hosts a market every Friday and Saturday to help increase footfall in the town and encourage shoppers to use both the supermarket and the town’s array of independent shops.

Paddy Fox, director of Chelverton Deeley Freed which was responsible for the Waitrose development and walkway, said he was thrilled with the yard’s first year.

“It has increased the footfall and as I understand it, it is popular in the town,” he said. “Everybody says the same thing, that it has a lovely atmosphere and is the perfect place to be and shop.

“It is everything I could have hoped it would be and is helping Chipping Sodbury retain its customer base.”

Yard market manager Lianne Abbott, who owns Koala Kreations which occupies one of the shed units, has worked in Chipping Sodbury High Street for 16 years.

She said: “I think the yard is great for Chipping Sodbury and the market is really taking off.

“It is a lovely place to work and we get some great feedback from customers.”

Market pitches are completely full for the weekly Saturday market and over half full for Friday markets, both featuring a wide range of traders.

The celebrations on Saturday, August 1 will include an all-day barbecue by Hobbs House Butchers, face painting, music and plenty of shopping opportunities. Children’s characters Micky and Minnie Mouse will be in the yard from 11am to 1pm and Bristol Zoo will be bringing mini beasts for visitors to touch and hold from 1pm until 3pm.

Mrs Abbott said plans were being drawn up to continue the yard’s success with a 14-day Christmas market in December.