Yate shopping centre will be fully reopen from next week, following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the lockdown easing route map is going to plan.

Social distancing measure remain in place but cafes, restaurants and bars can now reopen to serve customers seated at tables indoors.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate shopping centre manager said: “There have been a lot of sacrifices made during the last year in order to get to this situation and now it is an opportunity to make the most of things. As is continually stressed, we are not out of the wood yet but if we all work together this is an opportunity to put the pandemic to bed once and for all.

“The Centre staff will be on hand to work with both the shops and visitors to ensure we stay safe and the centre becomes the vibrant hub that it has been for the past fifty plus years.

"We are working on a new programme of entertainment but the latest easing measures certainly gives us confidence that it will soon be back”.

There is still a requirement to wear a face mask and to keep to existing social distancing guidelines at the centre.

Andrew added: “Just because things are going well doesn’t mean we are back to the good old times so the word moving forward must be caution. It will be good to see people at last being able to come out and enjoy the Centre with confidence!”