The Bradley Stoke Journal

Bradley Stoke has plenty of events to keep the children occupied this half term, with activities on offer at the Leisure Centre, Library and Willow Brook Centre.

Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre’s May Half Term Holiday Programme (for children aged four to sixteen) runs from Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th May and includes activities ranging from rollerskating to basketball.

Bradley Stoke Library is hosting a couple of events under the National Family Week Initiative. On Tuesday (26th May) children aged four to ten are invited to “find Wally”, solve puzzles and take part in craft activities, while younger children (aged four and under) can join a Rhyme Time session on Thursday (28th May).

Explore Learning at the Willow Brook Centre are running a non-members day on Thursday (28th May). There will be a range of numeracy and literacy workshops for all ages running throughout the day.

Fashion store New Look looks likely to feature as a key component in Phase 2 of Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre.

The news is revealed in an updated version of the Willow Brook Centre marketing brochure, available on the Alder King website, which shows unit three of the retail terrace being ‘under offer’ to the fashion group.

The Journal understands that New Look is yet to exchange contracts for the Willow Brook unit, but has agreed that its name may be used in marketing material, to help attract other potential tenants to the development.

The new store will neighbour that of shoe concern Brantano, revealed as a tenant last September when marketing literature showing the group occupying unit two of the retail terrace was distributed at a meeting of the Bradley Stoke Safer and Stronger Community Group.

Phase 2 of the Willow Brook Centre is expected to be fully open in June/July. The Westworld and Ladbrokes stores, which form a third side of the Town Square, could open earlier, but not before May.

More imminently, maths and English tuition centre Explore Learning opens it doors this Thursday (15th January) on the first floor of the Willow Brook Centre’s main building. The centre, which caters for children aged 5-14, will be open seven days a week. Membership operates on a monthly basis and includes two 75 minute sessions per week. The company is offering free trial sessions during the opening week, but places are said to be filling fast. More information on 07776 137139.

Also opening within the next seven days is the Curves ladies-only fitness and health facility. According to the company’s literature, Curves is designed exclusively for busy women who want to reach their fitness goals in just 30 minutes, three times a week. The company is offering two-thirds off its joining fee for the first one hundred applicants. The facility has its official opening on Monday 19th January. More information on 01454 270875.

Two more businesses are set to begin trading soon at Bradley Stoke’s new Willow Brook shopping centre.

Explore Learning and Curves are on schedule to open in mid-January and will occupy units on the first floor of the main building. The new units are located close to the public toilets and are accessed via the staircase from the centre of the mall.

Explore Learning, a maths and English tuition centre for children aged 5-14, plans to open on Thursday 15th January in mall unit 11. This will be the group’s fourth site in the Bristol area, following the success of other centres in Emersons Green, Cabot Circus and Clifton Down.

Lauren Holliday, Centre Director, told The Journal:

Explore Learning is an Ofsted registered tuition centre for 5-14 year olds where inspiring tutors work with children on maths and English courses that are created to meet and adjust to the individual needs of every child. Explore Learning caters for children of all abilities, as our individualised learning programmes allow our members to work at a level and pace best suited to their needs; stretching and challenging them where appropriate. During a normal Explore session your child worked with some of our excellent tutors, who make our centre a fun and friendly place where children boost their confidence, make academic progress, and enjoy learning!

The company will be holding festive literary workshops at local libraries and plans to visit local schools in the New Year.

Explore Learning is currently seeking part-time maths and English tutors to work at the new Bradley Stoke centre. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a natural talent for inspiring, motivating and bonding with children aged 5-14 and have a minimum grade B in GCSE maths and English. More details can be found on our New Town Centre Jobs page.

Curves, described as a ladies-only “fitness and health facility” (rather than a gym), is scheduled to open on Monday 19th January in mall unit 12. The group is said to be the largest fitness franchise in the world, with more than 10,000 outlets in over 60 countries.

A 30 minute session that burns 500 calories is the centrepiece of the Curves offering. No appointments are necessary and members can simply turn up and join in the continuously running programme.

The Curves website explains:

The Curves 30 minute workout exercises every major muscle group and burns up to 500 calories through a proven program of strength training, cardio and stretching. In addition, club promotions and events encourage women to support charitable causes, learn about health-related issues and forge lasting friendships as part of the global Curves community.

The company said it has already recruited three members of staff to work at the new facility.

Contact Details:

• Explore Learning – Email: bradleystoke@explorelearning.co.uk
• Curves – Tel: 01454 270875