With the ‘schools out for summer’, there’s was a real buzz in the air at The Centre, Livingston when our Style Squad team caught up with some visitors to the shopping centre who shared their plans for the day, with some lucky shoppers receiving a ‘Surprise & Delight’ £25 complimentary Gift Card to treat themselves.
Lots of families were combining a day out shopping, either for new summer wardrobe or holiday outfits, with dining out in their favourite restaurants like wagamama, and some action-packed play time at Aerial Adventures.
Thrill seekers can enjoy HiClimb, featuring suspended vertical obstacles, climbing walls and a giant staircase and HiFall, which is a 12m free fall bungee experience. For little ones, there’s a three level Soft Play area, with everything from high level crawl tubes and slides to a ball cannon and foam rollers.
At The Centre, Livingston there is over 150 stores to choose from including M&S, Flannels, New Look and H&M, and a wide selection of places to eat out, like Nando’s, Five Guys and Las Iguanas – there’s something for everyone!
First up to chat to on our travels around the shopping centre was Brooke MCubbing from Polmont and her Grandma, Marion from Bo’ness, who was treating her to some new outfits from Primark and a very smart, stylish blazer from Quiz, for her upcoming work experience job in a lawyer’s office.
Brooke, whose favourite stores include New Look and Argento for jewellery said, “I love coming to the shopping centre with my Grandma. It’s a really nice way to spend some quality time together, especially as we both like the same stores and a treat afterwards at Starbucks.”
We then met Jacqueline Neillings, an Early Years Practitioner from Livingston, who nipped into the shopping centre after a great workout at the gym.
With an upcoming holiday on the horizon Jacqueline was looking for some new summer outfits and had her eye on a stunning embroidered blouse from her favourite shop, River Island, which to her ‘Surprise & Delight’ the Style Squad team offered to put a £25 Gift Card towards, making her day to the shopping centre even more special.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was gifted a £25 Gift Card in my favourite store! What a lovely thing for the shopping centre to do – thanks so much. I might just treat myself now to a coffee and treat in my favourite café, Muffin Break which I always make time for when I visit.”
It was also great to chat to the Windsor family from Carluke on our rounds, who were shopping for holiday wear in Primark and a Nike t-shirt and crocs in JD Sports.
On their way to the till in JD Sports we surprised them with the offer of a £25 Gift Card, courtesy of The Centre, Livingston, to put towards their shopping which they were over the moon with!
Mum Nicola said: “What a lovely surprise – thanks to the shopping centre for presenting us with the Gift Card – it really made our day!”
It was a delight to spend time chatting to teacher, Sarah Fowler from Stirling (left), who was making the most of her summer break with a day out shopping for new books, before taking some time out to enjoy a bite to eat in Las Iguanas.
“I really enjoy visiting The Centre, Livingston. I can always find exactly what I’m looking for, especially when it comes to finding new books to read, and then I always like to combine it with dining out with friends, overall making for a great day out!”
Another avid reader, Chana Howies from Falkirk, who is also a teacher, echoed Sarah with her love of visiting the shopping centre to pick up the latest best-selling and trending books.
Chana was also looking for a new dress in New Look for a wedding she’s going to, with plans to nip into River Island too, both being her favourite go-to stores where she always manages to pick up exactly what’s she’s looking for.
Chana said: “I tend to visit the shopping centre a lot as there’s such a great selection of stores and places to eat out, and no matter what’s on my checklist to get, I’m always guaranteed to find it.”