The Bradley Stoke Journal

Management at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre say they were “shocked” when The Nationwide Building Society branch ceased trading without notice yesterday (Monday 15th).

The agency branch, operated by 1st Equity (part of financial services company 1st Group UK of Thornbury), first opened on Monday 20th October 2008 – one week after the official opening of the Willow Brook Centre.

The business had appeared to be doing well, particularly after the recent closure of the rival Halifax agency at Bradley Pavilions – the town’s only other banking outlet.

The proprietors had also recently been advertising a job vacancy at the agency, for which the application deadline had been given as 11th February.

Nationwide branding on the agency shop front and elsewhere within the Willow Brook complex had been removed by late afternoon on Monday and the shop window covered with paper sheets.

Notices on the windows of the store state:

“Regrettably it has been necessary to temporarily close this branch agency. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Willow Brook Centre Manager Scott Lahive told The Journal:

“This is obviously sad news for the many customers who held accounts at the Bradley Stoke branch. Our thoughts are with the staff who along with the centre were unaware of the planned closure.”

The Bradley Stoke branch was operated by a separate company who act as an agency for Nationwide. Customers can be safe in the knowledge that any transactions completed prior to the closure are registered with Nationwide and are unaffected. In effect their accounts remain whilst the ability to bank in Bradley Stoke does not.”

“At this moment in time we are not aware if this closure if a temporary or permanent move.”

Customers are advised to contact Nationwide on 08457 302010 if they have any queries.

The news comes just three months after the Curves ladies-only fitness centre, another tenant of the Willow Brook Centre, suddenly ceased trading on Friday 6th November.

1st Equity were unable to provide a statement before publication of this article but a director of the company has promised to speak to The Journal later today.

UPDATE at 4pm:

John Bridge of 1st Equity supplied the following statement:

“The decision to close the agency was not ours and we regret the inconvenience to customers.”

“I am not allowed to comment further.”

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Fashion retailer Peacocks has submitted a planning application for the construction of a mezzanine floor in its anticipated new store in Bradley Stoke.

Plans submitted with the application show that the addition of a second level will increase the internal floor space of the shop by 33%.

The application also reveals that the store will be located in unit 3 of the ‘retail terrace’, placing it between the existing Brantano and Pets at Home outlets.

The Willow Brook Centre is yet to officially confirm Peacocks as a new tenant, but Manager Scott Lahive has said that the store could open “just after Easter”.

Peacocks are currently recruiting for staff – more details on our Bradley Stoke Jobs page.

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Customers of Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre will soon be able to rest their weary legs when seating is finally installed within the shopping centre’s mall.

Elderly and disabled shoppers have long complained about the lack of seats within the centre, but management previously said that their budget was “too constrained” to allow the situation to be rectified.

Centre Manager Scott Lahive admitted to the July 2009 meeting of the Bradley Stoke Safer and Stronger Community Group (SSCG) that “too much had been spent on seating outside [in the Town Square]” prior to the centre’s opening in October 2008.

But Mr Lahive now says that new seating has been ordered and will be arriving within the next few weeks. He told this week’s SSCG meeting that the seats are likely to be installed at the end of February or the beginning of March.

Mr Lahive was also able to confirm that fashion retailer Peacocks is planning to open a new store at the centre “just after Easter”, subject to the successful completion of contractual negotiations.

He added that the centre is also in talks with two further high street retailers.

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Budget clothes retailer Peacocks has begun recruitment activities for shop floor positions at its anticipated new Bradley Stoke store.

Advertisements for management positions at a “Bradley Stoke, Bristol” location appeared earlier this month but the Willow Brook Centre was still to confirm Peacocks as a new tenant.

The company’s latest advertisement state that “Peacocks, Britain’s hottest value fashion retailer – is on its way to Bradley Stoke”.

In addition to Store Manager and Assistant Manager positions, the company says that anyone interested in becoming a ‘Sales Colleague’ at the new store should email for an application form – see our New Town Centre Jobs page for more details.

Told of the recruitment campaign, Willow Brook Centre Manager Scott Lahive commented to The Journal:

We can confirm that we are currently in very advanced discussions with Peacocks regarding them taking a store at the Willow Brook Centre. Negotiations are ongoing. If Peacocks decide to base their new store at the centre, it would potentially trade over two levels, occupying a large unit on the retail terrace alongside Brantano and Pets at Home.

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Budget fashion chain Peacocks looks set to be the next retailer to open at the Willow Brook Centre after the company began advertising for jobs at a “Bradley Stoke, Bristol” location.

In a recent interview, Willow Brook Centre Manager Scott Lahive told The Journal that Peacocks had “shown interest” in opening in Bradley Stoke.

The news that the company is advertising for staff would seem to indicate that a deal has been done, although there is as yet no official confirmation from the Willow Brook Centre.

The company is advertising for a Store Manager (£18,000 – £25,000) and an Assistant Manager (£13,000 – £16,000).

Peacocks previously had a concession within the Woolworths store at the Abbey Wood Retail Park in Filton. The group has a store in Emersons Green and recently took over part of the former Woolworths store in Yate.

Another fashion retailer, New Look, has previously expressed an interest in opening at the centre but discussions with that firm are said to be “on hold”.

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