Bristol's Cabot Circus celebrates first year anniversary

A year to the day after it opened in Bristol, almost 95 per cent of the 150 shop sites in Cabot Circus have been let.

Eleven new tenants have recently opened stores or are set to open in the centre and nearby parts of Broadmead run by Cabot Circus management.

The new stores will together create about 100 jobs, adding to the 3,780 already created in Bristol's newest shopping centre.

Centre bosses say more than 50 per cent of these posts were filled by local people who were previously unemployed.

Recently-opened shops include The Disney Store, on Brigstowe Street, which opened in June, and Tie Rack, on George White Street level two, which opened last month.

Newsagent News Hut opened its doors on the

Horsefair two months ago, while Specsavers the optician also opened its new flagship store for the South West on Merchant Street about five weeks ago.

Cabot Circus's already burgeoning fashion scene will be boosted by the opening in the near future of some high-fashion stores.

Womenswear designer James Lakeland is set to open in Quakers Friars, while due to open in Concorde Street in December is Hollister Co, joining Urban Outfitters and American Apparel.

Designer menswear outlet Luke 1977 has also leased a store on the Horsefair.

New baguette shop Boulangerie will help shoppers stave off their hunger in Concorde Street, while a new Currys shop on George White Street will sell the latest in electronics.

New to Penn Street is Kuoni Travel, the UK market leader in long-haul travel, as well as Colonel Mustard by Bristol-based retailer William Francis.

Cabot Circus bosses say the new shops will help make for an even better shopping experience.

James Bailey, Cabot Circus centre manager, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming these new tenants, which offer wide appeal and will continue to attract visitors to Bristol's revitalised city centre.

"Although 2009 has been a challenging year for retailers nationally – and we have indeed seen some store closures – this latest surge of lettings from well-respected brands demonstrates continued confidence in Bristol.

"Indeed, our latest figures show that Cabot Circus is now almost 95 per cent let, which is well above the national average. The new jobs created will also provide a welcome boost to the city's economy."

The new retailers are also delighted to be in Bristol's newest shopping district.

Prior to its Cabot Circus opening, Tie Rack only had one Bristol shop, in The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, after the one on the Triangle closed down.

Becky Prideaux, manager of Tie Rack in Cabot Circus, said: "This is a great opportunity for us to be back in the city centre and in the heart of Bristol.

"Tie Rack is trying to change its image from not just being a place where people look for ties, but all types of accessories from gloves and scarves to ladies' handbags, pashminas and cufflinks.

"It is great to be back in among other fabulous stores, and it is good to be at the heart of somewhere that is not only accessible for lots of people but also high market."