When Kay Marrah was a girl, she used to roller-skate into Broadmead from her home in central Bristol with her best friend.

On Friday she arrived in a chauffeur-driven white limousine, as the winner of the Post's 'We Love Broadmead' £1,000 shopping spree competition.

"Me and my friend Kim would stick on our roller skates and go from Redcliff into Broadmead," said Mrs Marrah, 53, who was accompanied by her daughter Jemma, 32, a logistics coordinator for BT.

As Broadmead manager John Hirst gave them a tour of the £11-million improvements, Mrs Marrah recalled some of the shops that used to be in Broadmead.

"There was Snob, and there was Biba, which had all that dark eye shadow. I used to love Bus Stop. I've still got a top I bought there – silk with batwing sleeves – which is back in fashion again.

"There were also some great shoe shops: Sacha, Dolcis, Saxone, and Freeman Hardy Willis."

Mrs Marrah told Mr Hirst Broadmead needed more shoe shops.

However, she approved of the recent changes – especially the stainless steel street furniture and the new pavements with Bristol Blue glass-coloured stones, and embedded lighting.

Both women liked the way the they made Broadmead blend in with Cabot Circus, which has the same street furniture and facades.

"As far as I'm concerned, Cabot Circus is part of Broadmead – it's all 'Down Town'," said Mrs Marrah, of Southmead, who works at Longwell Green community centre.

After breakfast at Debenhams, Mrs Marrah set about spending some of her £1,000 vouchers.

"Jemma's getting married this summer, so I'm looking for an outfit to wear," she said.

"I also want to get my 15-year-old, Bradlee, his first suit to wear at the wedding."

Next it was off for lunch at award-winning Bottelino's restaurant, where Mrs Marrah recalled how she used to come into Broadmead with her grandparents, Harry and Dolly Bowman, for lunch at the former Lewis's department store - which is now being refitted as the biggest Primark outside London.

"We always had to put on our best clothes when we went 'Down Town'. You had to do things properly. Our shoes had to be polished.

"Everyone in Broadmead knew Harry Bowman. He'd lost a leg in World War I and was on crutches. When we went to Lewis's they'd see him coming in and would take us to the front of the queue and give us a seat by the window."

After lunch, it was back to Debenhams, where Mrs Marrah had a facial and a make-up session and advice from a personal shopper.

Finally it was time to be driven home by Bristol Limos.

Mrs Marrah said: "Broadmead's a special place for me, because I've got wonderful memories of the good times I had with my friends Kim Williams and Myrbelle Pinnock.

"But all the recent changes have also made it a really exciting place for me. I can't wait to see what happens next."

The completion of Broadmead's £11-million facelift was being celebrated today between 10am and 4pm, with Valentine-themed events including street performers, free sweet treats, and a photo booth.