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At Yate, we not only work within the boundaries of our site, we look to work as far as we can within our wider local community providing help, sponsorship and support wherever we can.
Building Community Bridges: Sponsorship in Action
Our commitment to the local area goes far beyond our property lines. Through strategic sponsorships, we act as a vital partner for the organisations making a tangible difference in Yate.
We actively support vulnerable residents by providing crucial in-kind aid, such as a dedicated storage garage for the Yate Food Bank to handle their collections and box assembly, and essential storage and charging facilities for Yate Shopmobility.
Our dedication to the local environment is visible year-round through our investment in landscaping and flower displays for the South Gloucestershire Council Link Road roundabouts and the ongoing maintenance of the Link Road Pond in partnership with Avon Wildlife Trust.
Furthermore, we enthusiastically back local sports and well-being, providing annual sponsorship to the Yate Town Football Club youth tournament, Chipping Sodbury Football Club, and hosting and sponsoring the annual Yate Ageing Better Festival to connect older residents with new opportunities.
Driving Discovery: Marketing & Promotion
We transform vacant spaces into opportunities for local groups to shine. Our centre acts as a high-visibility platform, offering free window displays in vacant units to groups like the Yate Art Society, Yate Heritage Centre, and Cotswold Edge Scout District, turning empty storefronts into community billboards.
We are a year-round hub for local celebration, proudly hosting and supporting the annual Yate Youth Festival in conjunction with local councils.
Most engagingly, we host 35 FREE customer events annually, ensuring there’s something fun during every school break, including Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Our immensely popular summer beach event alone draws hundreds of families daily, making us the go-to destination for free, family-friendly fun.
Beyond Shopping: Operational & Strategic Partnerships
Our commitment extends to strategic, long-term improvements in accessibility and town planning. We ensure our staff are fully prepared to support all members of the public by providing Dementia training for all Yate Shopping Centre personnel (including cleaning and security).
We have made visible, practical changes to the site by colour-coding pedestrian walkways with Dementia-friendly planters to assist with wayfinding. Furthermore, we take an active role in the future of Yate, participating as a member of the Yate Town Council Town Centre Strategy Group, meeting quarterly with all stakeholders to collaboratively shape the town’s direction.
Supporting Local Life: Economic & Retail Support
We foster a thriving local economy by giving independent entrepreneurs a crucial foothold. We provide essential, flexible space for ongoing market stalls selling everything from fresh meat and produce to arts, crafts, plants, and flowers, alongside providing a site for a dedicated car wash operation. Critically, we don’t just host these businesses; we provide storage and promotional space to both commercial and interest groups, ensuring that the local independent spirit can flourish within our busy centre.
Giving Back: Social Impact & Fundraising
We actively use our scale to generate meaningful financial support for crucial charities. Our annual One Great Day event successfully raises funds for both Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital and the Jessie May Trust, generating approximately £2,000 in a single day, which adds to the over £5,000 we have raised for Jessie May Trust through ongoing efforts.
Perhaps one of our proudest achievements is the Community Bike Hub, an initiative we helped launch by providing a vacant unit for the Sodbury Climate Action Group. To date, this hub has serviced and donated over 2,000 bicycles to low-income families, promoting sustainability while addressing social need.
