The Centre Livingston – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

First-ever Christmas Drive In Movie Night at The Centre for CHAS

The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, has announced its Christmas events plan to raise funds and awareness for the children’s charity, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, (CHAS), which includes its first-ever Christmas ‘Movie Under the Stars Drive-In’ and free festive workshops.

This is the third year the shopping centre has partnered with CHAS, which provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Various events over the years have included an Elf Walk and Breakfast with Santa.

This year on the 6^th December, The Centre, Livingston is hosting its first-ever Christmas ‘Movies Under The Stars Drive-In’ on the 3^rd floor of Car Park 1, featuring the family-favourite film, Elf at 6pm, and the classic romantic comedy, Love Actually at 9pm.

Tickets are £20 per car, plus £1.50 booking fee, and can be purchased at https://thelittleboxoffice.com/skylightcinema/event/view/204923 for Elf and https://thelittleboxoffice.com/skylightcinema/event/view/204925 for Love Actually.

All proceeds will be going to CHAS. Terms & Conditions are on the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Kids will also get the chance to decorate a special bauble, with help from Santa’s Elves, and hang them on the Christmas trees at festive arts and crafts workshops, located near the Post Office. These will run on weekends in the run up to Christmas; 30^th November – 1^st December, 7^th – 8^th December and 14^th – 15^th December, between 11am-4pm.

As part of the charity partnership, CHAS will also be hosting a pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30^th November and Sunday, 1^st December to raise funds and awareness about the services they offer.

Throughout the festive period shoppers will also be able to make donations at two CHAS contactless pods, located opposite the Post Office and next to the washroom facilities adjacent to Hotel Chocolat, which will be in situ until the end of the year.

Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are very excited to launch our Christmas events plan this year, which includes our first Christmas Drive-In Movie Night and free festive arts and crafts, to help raise money for CHAS again.

“This is a charity which is very close to our hearts which is why we like to partner with them at this time of year to help raise funds and even more awareness of the incredible work they are doing. We look forward to welcoming them at their pop up on the last weekend of November.”

Alison Rennie, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are very excited to partner with The Centre, Livingston for another magical Christmas season.

“Their incredible support helps us bring joy, comfort and unforgettable moments to children with life-limiting conditions and their families during the most precious time of the year. Together, we can make a real difference this Christmas, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

“We are really looking forward to hosting our pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30th November and Sunday, 1st December. Visitors can meet our team and learn more about the vital care we provide. We’ll also be selling a range of festive CHAS Christmas merchandise, perfect for gifts, and some of your favourite characters will be there to add to the holiday magic.

“We’ll also be joined by the wonderful Linlithgow Male Choir, who will be entertaining shoppers with carol singing on Saturday, adding to the festive cheer.”

Other activities taking place at The Centre, Livingston include an ‘Advent Calendar Spin the Wheel’, located near Waterstones, where shoppers will get the chance to win various prizes every day from the 1^st – 24^th December.

These include a luxury Velvetiser hot chocolate machine from Hotel Chocolat, worth £99.95, a Rituals Gift Set worth £43.90, JBL Headphones from Vodaphone worth £50, a meal for two at wagamama and lots more. Daily updates can be found on The Centre, Livingston social media channels.

www.instagram.com/thecentrelivingston https://www.facebook.com/shopthecentre

The Centre Livingston set to host an Autumn/Winter style event with a £300 giveaway

The Centre, Livingston will be hosting an Autumn/Winter style event on Saturday, 14^th September, 12 – 4pm with local stylist and colour expert, Leigh Maybury, where shoppers can get top tips on key trends this season and be in with a chance of winning a £50 Gift Card to treat themselves.

The free event follows on from the success of Leigh’s first Spring/Summer event in May this year where visitors travelled from around the country for style tips and a colour analysis to find out which shades compliment them the most, and ones to avoid, when it comes to shopping for clothes, accessories and make up.

Leigh, a former Director at the jewellery company, Sella & Dot, qualified at the London College of Style and trained in the art of colour, before launching her own company, Life with Style in 2016. Her aim is to give people the confidence to get out of their comfort zone and try something new, not just on special occasions, but every day.

The event, which will be located near M&S, will give visitors to the shopping mall the chance to get an insight into style trends including animal prints and how to incorporate the season’s key colours, like red and chocolate brown with good neutrals to help build an easy to wear Autumn/Winter capsule wardrobe.

There will also be mini colour analysis sessions on a first come, first service basis, with limited spaces available, and a live ‘Style Talk’ at 1pm and 3pm on dopamine dressing and how to wear bright colours that give you a natural boost and make you feel happy.

Six lucky shoppers will also be in with a chance of winning a £50 Gift Card each to spend on a new outfit on the day.

Leigh said: “I’m delighted to be back at The Centre, Livingston on the 14^th September to share my top Autumn/Winter style tips and trends with shoppers.

“Whether it’s an event you are going to or looking for advice on everyday wear, I’ll be able to help you to find exactly what you are looking for in the wide mix of fantastic shops which will make you look and feel great throughout the season.”

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to having the expert stylist Leigh Maybury back into the shopping centre this month.

“Our last style event was such a big hit with shoppers who travelled far and wide to get advice on new trends and colours which is why we wanted to host another one which focused on Autumn/Winter key trends, and this time give shoppers the chance to win a Gift Card too.”

Foodies queue for hours at the opening of Scotland’s first Cinnabon

Shoppers turned up their droves and travelled for miles to get their hands on the world-famous bons at the opening of Cinnabon’s first-ever Scottish site at The Centre, Livingston yesterday (26^th July), with queues starting almost two hours before it opened.

The company, which started out it in Seattle in 1985, has branches in over 48 countries around the world, and now Scotland, at one of the country’s largest shopping centers, The Centre, Livingston which has over 150 shops including Flannels, Rituals and River Island.

Fans and those new to Cinnabon, travelled from all over the country to get their hands on the tasty treats, which come in a variety of flavours, including the original roll which is the Classic Cinnabon with Makara cinnamon and signature frosting, ChocoBon and Caramel PecanBon.

The first customers also received a special tote bag.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “The opening of the first-ever Cinnabon branch in Scotland was a huge success as people travelled from near and far and queued for up to two hours before it opened, with long queues continuing throughout the day, to get their favorite bons.

“The opening is a fantastic addition to our existing variety of great places to shop and eat at The Centre, Livingston which makes for a brilliant day out when visiting us.”

Thousands turn up to The Centre Livingston to see two Transformers – all the way from Cybertron

Thousands of visitors turned up to The Centre, Livingston last weekend, (20th and 21st July) to meet two giant, 9ft Transformers who made a very special guest appearance at Comic Con’s ‘Superhero Takeover’, to help raise funds for the local charity, West Lothian Community Foundation.

Following the success of Comic Con’s first visit to the shopping centre earlier this year, the alien robots from Cybertron, which featured in the first Transformers film in 2007 and transformed into cars, made their debut with lots of much-loved superhero characters, including Spider-Man, Bluey and Bingo and Sonic and Knuckles in walkabouts and ‘Meet & Greets’.

The event, which was also attended by over 60 exhibitors showcasing their one-of-a-kind collectables and a variety of movie and television props, was free with the opportunity to donate to West Lothian Community Foundation, which is one of the charities the mall has partner with to run its ‘Jump into Summer” programme of free events like sports-themed pop ups, including basketball and table tennis, and arts and crafts.

The aim of the local charity is to use football as an activity to promote the educational and health development of people of all ages in the community, with particular emphasis on targeting those who are less engaged with sporting activities, to help them reach their full potential.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “It was great to welcome the 9ft Transformers into The Centre, Livingston at the weekend.

“The impressive iconic characters, along with all the other popular comic heroes were a huge hit with our shoppers, especially the fans, and also our retailers and team.

“It was a great addition to all the other free activities happening all summer at the shopping centre for visitors to enjoy, like sporting ‘try out’ sessions, including table tennis and basketball, kids exercise classes and also arts and crafts and a fantastic opportunity for our charity partner West Lothian Community Foundation to raise funds and awareness of the great work they are doing.”

Ian Bonar from BGCP Comic Con, said: “We are thrilled with our second trip to The Centre, Livingston. Great memories were made with our two 9ft Transformers grabbing everyone’s attention in the middle of the shopping centre, with lots of double-takes.

“We also had the biggest ‘Meet & Greet’ we’ve ever organised with ‘Bluey and Bingo’ on Sunday, as people travelled near and far to get a photo with them.”

Graham Jarvis from West Lothian Community Foundation, said: “Thanks to everyone who helped us to raise funds over the weekend at the Comic Con event, which was great fun!

“Every penny we raise as a charity goes back into helping even more people in West Lothian to get fit and active and meet people which is why we are very appreciative that The Centre, Livingston has chosen us as one of their summer charity partners as it has also given us the chance to raise awareness of all of the work we are doing in the community.”

Cinnabon set to open first Scottish outlet in Livingston

Livingston, the Bons are out of the bag!

Cinnabon® is now able to confirm the launch date for its first Scottish outlet. We are counting down the days to Friday 26^th July at The Centre, Livingston. Get there early to avoid the queues!

Visitors to the shopping centre will see branded hoarding appear from 8th July as the Cinnabon® team works its magic to transform the area to a paradise of Cinnabon’s Ooey-Gooey® goodness and the smell of warm cinnamon and frosting.

Dan Smith, Brand Manager for Cinnabon, is delighted to confirm the first of several openings across Scotland: “It certainly has been difficult keeping this launch a secret, with many people across press and social media guessing that Livingston will be Cinnabon’s first store in Scotland.

“To say we’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response is an understatement and reinforces our decision to open at The Centre, Livingston on Friday 26^th July.

“We have a lot of fans in Scotland, and they have been asking us to open here, and now we’ve delivered! We’ll be there a few days earlier with the Cinnabon® bus so anyone who can’t wait to get their hands on our famous Bons, should head over to The Centre, Livingston to get a taster.”

With a promise of several more outlets over the coming months, Scotland is going to be awash in frosting from the famous American bakery chain and customers can look forward to a full selection of freshly baked Bons, including the Classic Cinnabon®, ChocoBon, Caramel PecanBon, as well as the official Biscoff Bon, and Choco bon made with OREO.

In addition, Cinnafans will be able to indulge in the latest Chillattas, the infamous homemade lemonades and a selection of premium hot drinks.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston commented: “We are truly delighted to welcome Cinnabon®, and already, there’s been so much excitement just from our team here at The Centre.

“Our customers will be thrilled to hear that Livingston is confirmed as the first opening on the 26^th July and we’re expecting big queues!”

If you have yet to discover Cinnabon® check out the website for more information on,

Cinnabon® Classic – The world-famous cinnamon roll is made with a combination of warm dough, legendary Makara cinnamon, and signature frosting for a freshly baked, irresistible sweet treat.

PecanBon – The signature Classic Roll, topped with decadent caramel frosting and pecans for the perfect crunch.

Biscoff Bon – The signature Classic Roll, generously coated in Biscoff spread and garnished with their signature biscuit.

Choco bon made with OREO – Delicious ChocoBon, topped with frosting then fused together with chocolate sauce and topped with OREO crumbs and a delicious OREO biscuit.

Chillatta- The coolest way to enjoy a Cinnabon®. This blended frozen masterpiece comes in a variety of flavours.

And if you can’t wait for the Livingston store to open, you can still get your fix online at www.cinnabon.uk

Bluey & Bingo join in the ‘Superhero Takeover’ at The Centre Livingston

Back by popular demand, the children’s favourite characters, Bluey & Bingo are set to return to The Centre, Livingston on Saturday, 20^th and Sunday, 21st of July as part of Comic Con’s ‘Superhero Takeover’, which will also feature two giant, 9ft transformers who are making their debut at the free event.

Following the success of Comic Con’s first visit to the shopping centre earlier this year, the much-loved characters will be joining lots of comic favourites, including Spider-Man, Venom, Iron Man, Sonic and Knuckles in walkabouts and ‘Meet & Greets’, which will take place next to Waterstones and British Heart Foundation.

Two giant 9ft transformers will also be taking part in the fun, located at the main entrance to The Centre, Livingston and over 60 exhibitors, showcasing a variety of movie and television props, one-of-a-kind collectables and selling various merchandise exclusives.

All details for the event, which is free with optional donations to West Lothian Community Foundation, can be found on the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com.

The aim of West Lothian Community Foundation is to use football as an activity to promote the educational and health development of people of all ages in the community, with particular emphasis on targeting those who are less engaged with sporting activities, to help them reach their full potential.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “Due to customer demand and the huge success of our first Comic Con event earlier this year, we are really excited to welcome them back on the 20^th and 21^st of July for more superhero fun with walkabouts, ‘Meet & Greets’ and the chance to pick up some limited-edition collectables.

“We are delighted to be able to support the local charity, West Lothian Community Foundation, at the event who are doing exceptional work connecting with people in the local community and helping them to get fit.”

Ian Bonar from BGCP Comic Con, said: “BGCP is thrilled to return to The Centre, Livingston, the first event absolutely blew us away and was well received by locals and others who travelled from Fife, Dundee, Glasgow and further afield.

“Our goal is to top each visit to the centre.”

Graham Jarvis from West Lothian Youth Foundation, said: “Our huge thanks and appreciation go out to everyone who is supporting us this summer at The Centre, Livingston.

“We are an integral part of the community with a mission to get as many people into sports and as fit as possible which is why partnering with the shopping centre is such a fantastic opportunity for us to help raise even more awareness of our workshops, courses and summer camps.”

The Centre Livingston launches ‘Jump Into Summer’ free events programme

To celebrate some of the sporting events taking place this summer, including the Euro’s, Scottish Golf Open and the Olympics, The Centre, Livingston has invited three charities and a social enterprise to take part in its ‘Jump into Summer’ sports themed events programme, which includes a ‘Beat the Goalie’ challenge in a Euro’s football pop up, basketball and table tennis ‘try outs’ and 44 free daily workshops.

The action-packed event is designed to give visitors the chance to try out a new sport or improve their skills and join in the various free sessions for kids of all ages, running from Saturday, 29^th June until Monday, 12^th August, from 11am – 4pm each day.

In partnership with West Lothian Community Foundation, a Euro’s football pop up will be located at the activity hub near Waterstones from the 4^th – 8^th July where shoppers can take part in a ‘Beat the Goalie’ challenge and get help from the coaches on how to improve their technique.

Newly signed players from Livingston FC will also be joining in the fun on Friday, 5^th at 1.30pm.

To tie in with the Scottish Golf Open, a golf simulator will also be in situ at the activity hub to encourage people to try their hand at the sport or improve their speed and swing from Friday 12^th – 14^th July.

Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club will also be taking part in the event with various demonstrations and opportunities for shoppers to see how many hoops they can shoot, from Friday 26^th – Sunday, 28^th July.

On the 3^rd and 4^th of August West Lothian Community Table Tennis Club, which is a charity based at The Centre, Livingston will also be providing taster and mini coaching sessions.

Leaderboards will chart the best results on the day at the sports pop ups with lucky shoppers being in with a chance of winning £25 Gift Cards.

To highlight the benefits of cycling, Livingston based social enterprise, West Lothian Bike Library, will be taking up residency next to Car Park 1 on Wednesday, 7^th August from 11 – 2pm, where they will also be carrying out bike safety checks.

From the 29^th June until the 12^th August, on all 44 days, families can take part in a wide variety of free workshops with activity leaders from workouts and storytelling sessions to painting classes and a one mile lap of the shopping centre on Saturday, 10^th August at 11am, with kids receiving a wooden keepsake medal at the end for taking part.

There will also be a ‘Spot the Sport’ trail to find pictures in 10 shop windows and on completion, families can enter a weekly prize draw to win a £50 Gift Card every week. All activities are free with the option to donate to any of the four summer charity partners.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “Our ‘Jump into Summer’ sports themed programme, which links into some brilliant events this summer, is packed with lots of free fun-filled activities for kids of all ages.

“This is a great opportunity for us to give visitors the chance to either try out a new sport or improve their skills with the help of some fantastic coaches.

“The event also gives us another opportunity to support and shine a light on the great work that our summer charity partners are doing in the local community, including West Lothian Community Foundation, Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club, West Lothian Community Table Tennis Club and West Lothian Bike Library.”

For more information on all free activities, check out www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Cinnabon set to open first Scottish site at The Centre Livingston

Cinnabon, the makers of the world’s most famous icing covered cinnamon rolls, which started out it in Seattle in 1985 and is now in over 48 countries, is set to open its first site in Scotland in The Centre, Livingston this summer.

The American bakery specialises in freshly baked large and mini Bons, which come in a variety of flavours, including the original roll which is the Classic Cinnabon with Makara cinnamon and signature frosting, ChocoBon and Carmel PecanBon.

Visitors to The Centre, Livingston, which is one of the largest in Scotland with over 150 shops and eateries, will also be able to enjoy various drinks to accompany their Cinnabon sweet treats, including espressos and Chillatas milkshakes at the new kiosk which will be located in the heart of the shopping centre.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to the arrival of Cinnabon, which is guaranteed to be a big hit with fans and those yet to try them out, and we are delighted to be the first site in Scotland to welcome them.

“This is a very exciting time for us at The Centre, Livingston with the recent opening of Rituals and Cinnabon coming soon, which are both great additions to our existing portfolio of fantastic places to shop and dine out.

“We are planning to announce the arrival of even more fantastic new brands to The Centre, Livingston which will really enhance the overall experience for our visitors.”

Under 12’s Football Kit Sponsorship Opportunity

For the second year running, Under 12s football clubs in West Lothian have been given the opportunity to enter a sports kit sponsorship competition, courtesy of The Centre, Livingston, following the success of the partnership with Mid Calder Colts 2014s team last year.

The sponsorship is part of The Centre, Livingston’s ‘Support in the Community’ initiative aimed at helping various local sports clubs, organisations and local charities and social enterprises to raise awareness, funds and to benefit from sponsorship opportunities.

All football clubs with Under 12s teams are being invited to enter the competition by highlighting why their team should be picked to win the kits.

Last year the management team were inundated with entries, with the Mid Calder Colts 2014s application standing out for many reasons including the dedication and team spirit of the young players, the commitment from all of the coaches all year round to make sure all the kids have fun and the welcoming of players from Craigshill Thistle FC which folded due to financial difficulties.

Applications should be emailed to enquiries@thecentrelivingston.com by Thursday, 20^th June at 5pm, to ensure the winning team receives the new shorts and branded tops in time for their first football match after the summer holidays.

Gary Anderson, Operations Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “Supporting organisations in our community who are going the extra mile and local sports clubs is very important to us.

“By sponsoring another local football club it gives us the chance to help build the team morale even more, by looking and feeling the part when they play their first match in the Autumn, and help them to get off to a flying start.”

All details and terms and conditions can be found at www.thecentrelivingston.com

Big Kid Circus comes to The Centre Livingston

The Centre, Livingston welcomes the Big Kid Circus to the shopping centre for the first time, which is packed with a fantastic variety of performances by talented acrobats, trapeze artists, daredevils and clowns from Wednesday, 29^th May until Sunday, 2^nd June.

The show by the circus company, which started in 2005 by talented acrobatic performers Biliana and Kiril Kirilov is entitled ‘Illuminations’ and is currently on tour around the UK.

It features a host of exciting performances by artists from around the world, including Europe’s only all-female motorbike stunt riders inside a mesh sphere ball and heart-warming comedy by twin brothers Rolando and Matrakita from Mexico, under the big tent spotlight, situated behind Primark.

Gary Anderson, Operations Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Big Kid Circus to The Centre, Livingston for the first time.

“The ‘Illumination’ show will be a big hit with our visitors, of all ages, whether you are a circus fan or new to it, with lots of brilliant performances guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.”

For tickets and more information check out Eventbrite and Itison.