A NEW newsagents has taken up an empty premises in Leigh's Spinning Gate Shopping Centre.
SG News, a newsagent, has joined a kiosk halfway through the centre, located between Crew Menswear and Salonaz Jewellery.
The unit was previously occupied by Hers & Sirs Hairdressing & Barbers, which has since upsized to a larger unit opposite Leigh Bus Station.
READ > Town centre Home Bargains sets date for reopening
With experience owning his own business, SG News owner Abid Patel previously owned a chain of newsagents across the North West, including one on Bradshawgate in Leigh.
The shop owner said he is "really looking forward to returning to Leigh" and providing shoppers with a quick snack or a drink on the go.
As well as confectionary, food, and drinks, there will also be a range of newspapers, magazines, tobacco and lottery tickets available to buy in-store.
Creating two new jobs for the local area, SG news will be open in Spinning Gate seven days a week.
The new opening comes after the much-loved News Today & Cannings, which served customers in Leigh for the best part of 30 years, left the centre in November 2022.
Closing the business for the final time, News Today owners cited lingering financial difficulties from the pandemic and the cost of living crisis made the business unsustainable.
However, following the new opening, Spinning Gate Shopping Centres now boasts a 95% occupancy level with just two vacant units left on the mall, one of which will be occupied and open soon.
Karen Cox, Centre Manager of Spinning Gate Shopping Centre said:
"What an brilliant way to start off the new year, welcoming a brand new store to the centre. Leigh News will compliment our current retail mix whilst providing a great shop & go offer to our shoppers. They also bring with them long term experience of the newsagent industry."
Over the course of 2022, footfall data shows that almost 3 million shoppers visited Spinning Gate.
This includes more than 4,000 children who enjoyed the centre’s festivities last month, which boasted a Free Santa during December and 60ft Christmas tree.
The shopping centre was also recognised in a global environmental ceremony in December, winning their fifth Green Apple Award for its huge reduction of waste over the past five years.
The centre enjoyed another successful year with almost 3million shoppers visiting the centre during 2022. Almost 4,000 children visited & enjoyed the centre’s Free Santa during December & were in awe of the centres huge 60ft Christmas tree! Spinning Gate also achieved another award win, their 5th consecutive international Green Apple Award for their environmental initiatives.
Spinning Gate Shopping Centre, in the centre of Leigh, offers a selection of high street names and independent stores & cafes, with Free weekend parking on the shopper car park.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here