Public asked to help choose a new name for Weston’s shopping centre

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North Somerset Council is asking the public to choose a new name for the Sovereign Shopping Centre, based in Weston-super-Mare's town centre. The new name will form part of a public engagement process that will take place from Tuesday 30 November to Monday 13 December.

As part of the engagement on the name change, the public will be able to choose a name based around a theme or put a suggestion forward.

To get involved with the name engagement, members of the public can:

Visit online: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/newname

Visit in person: Food Court at the Sovereign Centre

Changing the name of the Sovereign Centre is part of the first phase of ambitious plans taking place within the centre, which include:

  • creating new workspace for business, entrepreneurs, and individuals, offering local working options to meet the increase demand in home working
  • introducing new space to enhance the food offer
  • enhancing and refurbishing key parts of the interior and exterior of the building
  • providing space to support active lifestyles and wellbeing, such as a cycle hub and rental shop

Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy, at North Somerset Council, said: “Our retail and the high streets have undergone seismic changes following the pandemic – people are using town centres in a very different way and we want to create a town centre that is fit for this new future. We are creating a new identity and unique spaces to meet these changing demands by introducing non-retail uses.

As part of the new vision, we want to hear from all who live, work and visit Weston to help us create a new name. There will be the option to respond online or in person. This work is phase one of a much bigger project that, over time, we will continue to engage you on. As we undertake this important exercise, the council will continue to seek out future funding options to create a space that meets the needs of our community, today and in the future.”