From holiday and birthday shopping to Back to School checklist ticking and dining out – it was a real mixed bag when we popped into The Centre, Livingston recently to catch up with visitors who travelled far and wide to enjoy a great day out.
With over 150 stores and restaurants to choose from including Flannels, New Look, River Island, H&M and wagamama and Nando’s – there’s something for everyone!
With kids returning back to school in a couple of weeks, there was a real buzz in stores like schuh Kids, Deichmann, Primark, M&S, JD Sports and Smiggle with checklists including everything from pinafores and brogues to lunch boxes and PE kits.
If you are looking to entertain them mid-shopping, there’s lots of summer activities going on including arts and crafts, games and storytelling sessions, next to New Look, and an ‘Around the World’ travel trail where kids can learn fun facts about lots of different countries, which is running until Sunday, 10th August from 11 – 4pm.
On the day we took the opportunity to chat to some visitors who shared their reasons for visiting The Centre, Livingston, with lots of people telling us about perusing the stores for special milestone gifts in Swarovski, Beaverbrooks and Lovisa and others who were marking their birthday with a family day out to shop and dine out.
As a thank you, some lucky shoppers were presented with a £25 complimentary Gift Card to treat themselves.
First up to chat to on our travels around the shopping centre were siblings Skye and Jay Muirhead who were celebrating their birthday, which is on the same day but a few years apart, with a shopping day out with their Grandma Pauline – who treats them to a visit to The Centre, Livingston every year to mark their special day.
Jay picked up a jumper from Flannels, which is one of his favourite shops, and t-shirts from JD Sports and Skye opted for a bunny Build-A-Bear.
Pauline said: “I love coming down from Perth to shop at The Centre, Livingston, which has all our favourites shops – I’m always guaranteed to find everything I’m looking for.
“Every year I make a point of bringing my Grandchildren to spoil them a little on their birthday, which often ends with a bite to eat at Greggs or Nando’s which completes our day out together perfectly.”
It was great to stop and chat to football coach Ethan Hemmings from South Queensferry, who was shopping for his girlfriend’s birthday presents, and hearing about his football career in the States and moving into coaching.
One of the stores at the top of his shopping list was Pandora for charm bracelets which his girlfriend loves.
The plan was then to pop into her other favourite stores for inspiration ‘add-ons’.
Ethan said: “I tend to visit the shopping centre a lot as I always get what I’m looking for, especially in stores like Flannels.
“Even although I’m mostly in sportwear due to my job as a football coach, when I’m dressing up Flannels never fails. I also knew I’d get something really nice today in Pandora for my girlfriend.”
There’s lots of stores to pick up exactly what you need to ensure your kids return to school this month with a spring in their step, with Primark being one of the number one ‘go to’ stores for everything from uniforms and stationery to lunch boxes and bags.
At M&S their innovative range includes skirts, shirts and trousers with finishes to repel stains and shrug off water, and anti-crease fabrics can save you ironing time!
M&S school trousers also feature adjustable waists and grow-proof hems that can be unpicked for an extra 3cm in length.
JD Sports’ Back to School collection has everything they need to make an impact – from standout threads and premium sportswear, to sleek trainers and must-have accessories.
Lauren Wilson from Fife was happy to tell us all about her Back to School shopping, where she managed to pick up everything she needed in Primark for her son who is really looking forward to going back to school and she also managed to get some nice pieces for her daughter who will be starting nursery soon.
Lauren said: “I’m delighted I managed to get mostly everything I came in for in Primark – they have such a fantastic range of schoolwear in lots of sizes and styles which made my ‘to do’ shopping list very easy! I also managed to get some lovely summer outfits for our upcoming holiday to Turkey, so it was a ‘win-win’.
Carol ann and Alex have been visiting the The Centre, Livingston for many years, even when their kids were very young, often just to enjoy a wander around the shops and enjoying a bite to eat in one of their favourite eateries like NowNow Café, Starbucks and Subway.
The top priority for this visit was to get new outfits for an upcoming family 21st celebration.
Carol ann said: “I’ve always loved shopping so visiting The Centre, Livingston has away been a great day out for me. Some of my favourite shops include schuh for trainers, M&S and Flannels if I’m treating myself or someone else in the family. There’s such a great variety of stores which makes it easier when you need to find something for a special occasion.”