50 years of Favell: Latest business addition praises shopping centre as home from home as she grew up visiting
The owner of one of the latest businesses to join Weston Favell Shopping Centre has praised it for being a home from home, as she vividly remembers visiting while growing up.
The shopping centre is set to celebrate its historic 50th anniversary later this month, and Lindsey Scott-Walker from Feather Robins Gifts is the next to share her fond memories.
She established her business in Kent Road, St Crispin Retail Village in September 2022, in the hope of becoming a one stop shop for all customers’ gifting needs.
A year and eight months on from launching, Lindsey opened a second store in Weston Favell Shopping Centre back in May – and recently praised the “amazing community” for the positive response to her first few months.
The business owner is pleased to be located on the bottom floor and surrounded by fellow independents, particularly Wendy’s Sweet Shop as they complement one another.
When asked what it was about the space that encouraged her to open in Weston Favell, Lindsey explained the outside of the shop was the first draw. As it appeared old-fashioned and adorned with wooden panels, she says her first impression was that it was “beautiful”.
The lighting inside the “perfect space” and being surrounded by independent businesses sealed the deal for Lindsey.
Talking about being part of the centre at such a historic time, Lindsey said: “It is like going home. We used to shop there when I was a child and I got lost in Tesco at four years old. They had to announce it over the tannoy.
“It was the destination place to go as a child and the whole centre, including the retailers and management team, are like a family. Everybody knows Weston Favell Shopping Centre.”
Lindsey appreciates how “friendly, helpful and unbelievably welcoming” her neighbouring businesses have been since her arrival, especially in sharing their top tips and helping her move stock in.
She was also pleased that the management team went out of their way to introduce themselves, and made it clear who Lindsey can go to when she needs anything.
“Everything is under one roof,” said Lindsey, when asked what the community likes most about the facility. “There are great refreshment choices and a whole range of eateries at the bottom end.”
It was only recently that the business owner spoke to a woman who returned to the shopping centre after 20 years, and she admired how much it had smartened up over the past two decades.
Lindsey believes the fact there are no empty units is testament to the hard work of the management team, who she says are attentive in making sure everything is how it should be.
“It makes you feel part of the centre and the community,” said the business owner, who looks forward to joining in with the upcoming anniversary celebrations and festivities at the end of the year.
The Chronicle & Echo is working with Weston Favell Shopping Centre until the end of October to mark the celebration. If you would like to share your memories and pictures, email [email protected].