Sovereign Centre

SOVEREIGN SHOPPING COMPLEX TRANSFORMED TO HIGH STREET BOOST

The Sovereign Centre in Westonsuper-Mare has undergone a huge revamp to bring more footfall to the high street. The centre has been remodelled to include new workspaces, a bike hub and an independent coffee shop. The Sovereign Centre is now re-named The Sovereign. Two large retail units at The Sovereign have been converted into 30 mixed size studio spaces, meeting rooms and coworking desks. The new ‘We are Super’ workspaces offers 20 desks for coworking that can be hired for a day or on a monthly rate. Two meeting rooms, managed by social enterprise Meanwhile Space, will be available for hire. It is hoped that the new spaces will help businesses and individuals adapt to new ways of working flexibly at the heart of Weston. The bike hub is expanding to offer the latest in cycling equipment, knowledge, and a bike hire scheme for visitors and residents. Local e-bike retailer UFO is moving into a larger space, and Can’t Dance Coffee is expanding to the previous Food Court. This work will cre ate an attractive café space, a new cycle hub, and a modern co working space. North Somerset Council executive member for placemaking and economy Councillor Mark Canniford said: “I’m delighted that the work at The Sovereign has completed and we’re able to open the new areas to the public and the business community. Enhancing and refurbishing key parts of the interior of this building has created an attractive café space for a popular independent coffee business, a new cycle hub, supporting active lifestyles and a mode rn co working space, bringing together a package that results in a great place to work, visit and enjoy in the town centre.”

The improvements to the shopping complex, owned by North Somerset Council, are being funded by a cash injection of £1.7 million from the West of England Combined Authority and £65,000 from the Department for Transport. The development is included as part of the new Weston Placemaking Strategy to bring a series of improvements and breathe new life into the seaside town.

The former Tory-led authority borrowed £21 million to purchase the centre which it hoped would generate an income of up to £1.1 million a year which would be pumped into local services But the impact of coronavirus on the centre has seen many shops move out and units left vacant and the value of the building plummeted to £4 million. Plans were announced last year to transform the shopping complex into a multiuse events space with a rooftop bar with street food outlets, a bar and live music. The outside of The Sovereign has also been given a new look as part of the overhaul.

Meanwhile Space director Emily Berwyn said: “Meanwhile Space is delighted to be supporting the setup and operation of the new vibrant uses in the Sovereign Centre. These fantastic spaces have been repurposed to attract different kinds of activity that wasn’t previously available in the shopping centre.