With Autumn just around the corner, bringing with it colder climes and shorter days, lots of shoppers at The Centre, Livingston that we caught up with in our ‘Surprise & Delight’ Gift Card giveaway recently, were already thinking about ways to wrap up and set the mood for cosier nights in.
We managed to catch up with everyone from families with avid little readers who were book shopping and a bride-to-be, counting down the weeks till her special day, who were all delighted when we surprised them with a £25 Gift Card as a thank you for sharing their reasons for visiting the shopping centre with us.
Whether you’re thinking about layering up with a new woolly funnel neck jumper or a stunning crew neck knitted waistcoat from M&S or browsing for a new winter coat from H&M, whether it’s a cape or shearling style with leopard print or faux fur, in beautiful trending shades of burgundy – The Centre, Livingston has got your covered.
First up on our radar was Marketing Executive Emma Ruddy from Bathgate who was making an extra special visit to The Centre, Livingston to congratulate her friend and hairdresser, Billy Wood, on the opening of his new salon, XXXTRA and also combining it with a shopping spree in River Island.
Emma said: “I love visiting The Centre, Livingston as I always find exactly what I need, especially if it is a new dress in River island or great homeware products in Primark but today was a special visit as I wanted to wish my friend and hairdresser, Billy, all the best on the opening of XXXTRA. He is great at what he does and is such a lovely person at the same time – I wish him all the success in the world.”
Emma also shared some of her other favourite stores with us which includes The Designer Rooms for home inspiration and when it comes to dining out, wagamama is her number one go-to.
It was lovely to catch up with Pauline Burns from East Calder who was telling us all about her upcoming wedding and her ‘colour make up match’ she arranged at Boots ahead of the big day with their Beauty Specialist, Danielle Buchanan.
Pauline said: “I’m counting down the weeks until my special day and wanted to make a point of getting some expert tips on which make up products I should be going for, in particular foundation.
“Danielle tried some beautiful Estee Launder products on me, which is one of my favourite brands. She also gave me valuable tips on how to use them which will really help with the finished look I want on the day.
“Thank you so much to The Centre, Livingston for surprising me with the Gift Card to treat myself, which I will be putting towards my make up.
“I just need to pick up some last-minute shopping and I’m good to go!”
We then caught up with Jennifer Drummond from Kirknewton, who was shopping with her husband, son and daughter, who visit The Centre, Livingston almost every week to do some shopping. The family especially love stores like Waterstones where her children get the chance to browse some books and pick up a new one to read if anything grabs their attention.
Today her son, who is an avid reader, opted for another book to add to his Dog Man collection, from the best-selling author and illustrator, Dav Pilkey.
After meandering through the stores, the day always culminates with a Greggs treat.
It was also great to hear about the kids favourites stores like Build-A-Bear which was high up on the list, and Primark and River Island for Jennifer.
The family like to mix up their café pit stop choices when they visit the shopping centre and they are making a day of it, with Starbucks being up there on their ‘top favourites’ list alongside Greggs.
Jennifer said: “We live locally so it’s very convenient for us to pop into the shopping centre regularly. The kids get to pick a new book, and we enjoy our coffee breaks – it’s a win-win!”
We then stopped to chat to Christine Welsh from Murieston, who was shopping in H&M for both herself and her daughter. Living locally, she regularly nips in and on this occasion on her checklist was more ‘Back to School’ bits and pieces for her daughter.
When she’s not perusing the stores, she really enjoys nipping in to wagamama for a bite to eat.
Christine said: “One of the things I love about the shopping centre is that I will always find exactly what I’m looking for.
“Today I needed to get a few more ‘Back to School’ pieces which I managed to get in H&M – along with a great pair of trousers for myself!”
Last up on our travels around the shopping centre was a great catch up with Jillian Martin from Cleghorn in Primark who is a spa therapist.
We enjoyed hearing all about her visit to The Centre, Livingston which is a pastime she loves, visiting at least once a month.
On this particular visit she was treating herself to a very smart, black backpack and new pyjamas.
Jillian said: “There’s such a great ambience at The Centre, Livingston with lots of great places to shop, and all under one roof – I always get what I’m looking for.
“It is also very easy to get to and park, and what I really love in the winter when it is bit colder, is that you can literally jump out of your car and into the shopping centre. Being fully enclosed it is always nice and warm, making for the perfect environment to enjoy a shopping day out.”
In addition to Primark, Gillian’s favourite stores are also M&S and New Look, and when it comes to grabbing a bite to eat it has to be Starbucks or Costa.
With over 150 stores and restaurants to choose from at The Centre, Livingston including New Look, schuh, JD Sports, Flannels, wagamama and Nando’s, there’s something for everyone – and all under one roof and for every occasion.