EASTER BONNET HAIR SCULPTURE LAUNCHES SPRING COLLECTIONS AT GRETNA GATEWAY
More new stores Set to Open
Gretna Gateway Outlet Village has celebrated the introduction of the centre's new Spring fashion collections for 2005 by commissioning a special Easter Bonnet hair sculpture.
The one-off creation was designed by Dumfries based Nelson Brown Hair Studios in advance of next weekend's Easter holiday period where the outlet village is anticipating its best ever weekend of trading. Following an £8 million expansion at the end of last year, Gretna Gateway has seen a 70% increase in sales across its store mix which includes names such as LK Bennett, Polo Ralph Lauren, Marks and Spencer, Episode and TAG Heuer.
Snow and surfboard clothing and accessory store Quiksilver opened on site this week and two other retailers are set to sign, bringing Phase 2 at the outlet village to over 90% let. The three new stores will bring the number of shops at the outlet village to 53 and will add an extra 30 jobs for the region. Gretna Gateway now employs almost 400 people in the area.
Gretna Gateway Marketing Manager, Julian Dow said; "We're obviously delighted with the success of Gretna Gateway with our visitor numbers up over 55% in the first 10 weeks of the year, and a substantial 70% rise in sales. Easter is traditionally an exceptionally busy period for us with many people coming as part of a day out and as we're anticipating our best ever weekend of trading to date, we felt that an Easter bonnet with a difference would be the ideal way to celebrate Easter, and mark the introduction of the new Spring lines at the outlet village. We hope as many people as possible will take a trip to Gretna Gateway as part of their Easter break "
Gretna Gateway is open seven days a week from 10am-6pm, including the Easter holiday period where special entertainment over the Easter weekend will see visits from children's entertainers, pipe and jazz bands, and the Easter Bunny who will be giving out free chocolates for children on Easter Sunday (subject to availability).