News

Shopping centre to host two fun-filled days of sport, including coaching from Stirling Albion FCThis weekend, Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling is hosting an exciting array of sports activities, giving shoppers of all ages the chance to get involved and embrace their athletic side this summer.The Thistles Family Sports Day will run across Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of June from 12pm-4pm. The two days will be packed with free sporting events to encourage everyone of all ages and ... Find Out More...

- Shoppers at Thistles, Stirling are invited to dream big to raise money for Make a Wish UK - To mark World Wish Day 2023 (29th April), Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling has today introduced a community wishing well for visitors to have the chance of making a wish which Thistles will then turn into reality as part of its #ThistlesHelps initiative with various wishes being granted throughout the year. It also aims to raise vital funds for Make a Wish UK to help cre... Find Out More...

- The Little Sprouts Gardening Club is free for green-fingered kids to enjoy this Easter - In the run up to Easter, Thistles shopping centre in Stirling is set to launch five fun-filled days of free events for families during the school holidays. From 3 – 7th April, budding gardeners can let their creative side flourish at the Thistles Little Sprouts Gardening Club. Taking place outside Next, the Little Sprouts Gardening Club will host a different activity each day b... Find Out More...

Thistles’ Wolf Pack returns with ten free events for children championing creativity and sustainability Thistles’ popular Wolf Pack kids’ club returns for another year on February 26 with a brand-new schedule of free unique monthly events that encourage the next generation to lead by example and take the sustainable steps required in order to save the planet. Over the course of the year, the Wolf Pack will bring ten exciting events to the kids of Stirling, with a foc... Find Out More...

Thistles shopping centre, Stirling has partnered with Transition Stirling to offer warm clothing to those in needThistles shopping centre, Stirling has announced the opening of its Winter Warmers Community Hub, in partnership with Transition Stirling to offer a helping hand to the Stirling and Forth Valley community. The Hub will offer pre-loved but excellent condition outerwear and knitwear to those who cannot afford to purchase new and will operate on a ‘pay what you can’ basis.Open... Find Out More...

- Thistles get ‘rooted & booted’ in recent #ThistlesHelps campaign, installing new footpaths at local community garden -Throughout 2022 Thistles shopping centre in Stirling has continued to carry out sterling work benefitting the local community through its #ThistlesHelps campaigns. Started in 2021 as the world started to deal with the impact of covid, the #ThistlesHelps campaigns are a way that the centre can do its part to give back to charities and benefit everyone from the Forth V... Find Out More...

- Emma Russell won Thistles Christmas story writing competition and will see her story published -Just in time for Christmas, Thistles shopping centre in Stirling, has crowned Emma Russell, aged 10 from P6 at St Mary’s Episcopal Primary School in Dunblane, the winner of its Christmas story writing competition.Emma’s story was one of over 100 entries to the competition from local children across Stirling, Falkirk, and Clackmannanshire. The festive competition was part of Thistles ongoi... Find Out More...

- Leading trainer and sports fashion retailer expands offering at Thistles, Stirling -On Saturday December 3 sports-fashion retailer JD Sports will open the doors to a new 5,241 square foot store in Thistles, Stirling to meet the demand of the brand’s popularity in the city. The new home for the store will stock even more ranges across fashion, footwear and accessories from brands including Nike, Adidas and The North Face to provide customers with an even larger choice of their favourite ... Find Out More...

- Budding storytellers from local schools have the chance to become published authors thanks to Christmas story competition from Thistles, Stirling -As the countdown to Christmas begins, Thistles shopping centre, Stirling has launched an exciting Christmas storytelling competition open to all local primary schools as part of its ongoing #ThistlesHelps campaign, which aims to give back to the local community.Just in time for Santa arriving, aspiring authors across Stirling and Forth Va... Find Out More...

The Beastie Boo-tique event is free for kids across Stirling and beyond to enjoy this half termWith October half term almost here, Thistles shopping centre in Stirling has announced a spooktactular free five-day event for families looking for some frightful fun to keep the kids entertained.Taking place between Monday 10th and Friday 14th October, the Beastie Boo-tique can be found outside HMV every day between 12pm and 4pm.With a different activity each day, the Beastie Boo-tique ... Find Out More...

Thistles welcomes life-sized basking shark made from second hand electrical devicesThistles shopping centre has unveiled a new art installation, Betty the e-waste shark, which has been making a splash with shoppers. Betty is a life-sized basking shark made entirely from second hand electrical devices including over 200 keyboards and water cooler panels that have been saved from landfill. Shoppers brave enough to stand at Betty’s mouth will see two projector lenses and TV screens showing a... Find Out More...

Thistles in Stirling has welcomed a brand-new soft play area following recent additions to the centreThistles shopping centre is continuing to expand its offerings to shoppers as it has installed a brand-new  soft play area open in line with centre times. Located in the heart of Stirling, Thistles is bringing new additions and maintaining staples of the centre.Taking over the former Debenhams Café site, the brand-new jungle themed soft play creates a space where parents can watch thei... Find Out More...

Thistles welcomed charity, Scottish Sports Futures to an exclusive opportunity to have the first play of its new nine-hole courseThistles shopping centre in Stirling has officially opened its brand new, free to play ‘Around the World’ nine-hole mini golf. Open each day until 31 July between 12noon – 4pm, keen golfers can come along and try their hand at the latest golf course in town.Thistles has partnered with Glasgow based charity, Scottish Sports Futures who work with communities a... Find Out More...

People of all ages are invited to play a brand-new nine-hole mini golf course at Thistles shopping centre, Stirling, this JulyExplore some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and monuments this summer at Thistles with the addition of a new, free, nine-hole mini golf course.Coming to the shopping centre in the heart of Stirling from 4 – 31 July, the Around the World mini golf course will be open from 12noon – 4pm each day, inviting people of all ages to try their hand at conquering th... Find Out More...

Thistles, supported by Coorie Creative, will run a #ThistlesHelps campaign in aid of Start Up StirlingThistles is launching a new #ThistlesHelps campaign to support those in need across Stirling and Forth Valley, working with social enterprise Coorie Creative to provide knitted goods to those moving into new homes with the help of Start Up Stirling, in a bid to combat the impact of rising heating prices.The latest community support initiative from the shopping centre will ask members ... Find Out More...

Following the centre’s Easter themed fun, Thistles’ Wolf Pack gets ready to do its bit to save the planet on SundayThistles shopping centre in Stirling is packing up its Easter basket after welcoming families to join in on its fun-filled Burrow Bakery events over the course of the Easter break, ready to welcome back the Wolf Pack on Sunday 24 April.The centre, which is known for its engaging kids activities, welcomed 562 children during the second week of the Easter holidays as they t... Find Out More...

Following on from February’s Superhero success, the Wolf Pack continues with a free event celebrating nature and ‘Plant a Flower Day’Thistles shopping centre is getting ready to welcome families from across Stirling and further afield to its Wolf Pack Kids’ Club event on Sunday 27 March between 12 – 4pm.Following a successful launch of its 2022 events series, this month’s Kids’ Club will see children of all ages come together to celebrate ‘Plant a Flower Day’ by creating their very ow... Find Out More...

Thistles’ Wolf Pack returns with ten free events teaching children to save the worldThe popular Wolf Pack kids’ club returns to Thistles this Sunday, 27 February, offering a fun-filled calendar of free events for children of all ages in the heart of Stirling. Taking place on the last Sunday of every month, the kids’ club will run from 27 February to 27 NovemberThis year the Wolf Pack is back with ten exciting events covering a range of subjects, from Earth Day to Ocean Day. Free to si... Find Out More...

- The latest initiative in the #ThistlesHelps campaign will see one local business benefit from a free unit in the centre, alongside additional business support from partner Go Forth -Thistles is offering one local business the opportunity to operate from its city centre shopping centre completely free of charge for six months, under its #ThistlesHelps campaign, in a bid to further support the local community.This follows the success of the inaugural business competition in 2021, whic... Find Out More...

Thursday 3rd February 2022Thistles shopping centre in Stirling is welcoming a new tenant, central Scotland’s leading arts centre, Macrobert. The latest name to join the centre, Macrobert follows in the footsteps of other creative businesses, including social enterprise Coorie Creative, by choosing Thistles to host its first expansion outside of the University of Stirling.Opening its doors to the public in the centre of the city for the first time on Friday 4 February, Macrobert will o... Find Out More...

- Thistles shopping centre in Stirling arranged Christmas cards for every resident at Abbeyfield House after partnering with Riverside Primary School and Our Lady’s RC Primary School under its #ThistlesHelps campaign -20th December 2021Residents of Abbeyfield House in Stirling received a surprise delivery from Thistles shopping centre in the form of handmade, personalised Christmas cards from the children of Riverside Primary School and Our Lady’s RC Primary School under the shopping ... Find Out More...

Thistles shopping centre has gifted local school, Alva Primary, with a dedicated ‘buddy bench’ for its sensory garden, created by the centre’s kids clubThistles shopping centre in Stirling is showing its support for local children by gifting a ‘buddy bench’ to Alva Primary School to provide a place for pupils who need someone to talk to, or who need a break from the stresses of everyday life, with a welcoming place to sit.The bench was created by the centre’s kids club, the Wolf Pack,... Find Out More...

- Thistles welcomes a new Santa’s grotto this year donating all proceeds to a local charity as part of its #ThistlesHelps campaign-Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling has today announced the opening of its brand new  Santa’s grotto, a festive experience which will be sure to get visitors of all ages into the Christmas spirit. This year the centre has partnered with local charity Strathcarron Hospice for the event, introducing a £5 ticket cost, with every penny of ticket sales donated to ... Find Out More...

- Thistles shopping centre in Stirling welcomes Coorie Creative, a social enterprise specialising in therapeutic weaving classes to those in need -This weekend Thistles welcomes Coorie Creative, a social enterprise which uses the art of weaving to support those who have experienced trauma, to its central Stirling shopping centre.Opening on Saturday 21st August and led by Mairi Breslin, a former trauma psychologist, Coorie Creative runs free workshops crafting blankets, scarves and thr... Find Out More...

Thistles opens after hours to make roller skating dream come true for local’s 50th birthdayOn the evening of Wednesday 4 August, Thistles shopping centre in Stirling kept its doors open after hours to help make the long-held dream of Stirling local, Kerry Anne, come true on her 50th birthday.Kerry Anne’s husband, Iain, contacted the centre to set up a surprise birthday gift like no other by arranging the out of hours experience. Having been a keen ice skater as a child, Iain explained... Find Out More...

- A free event for all kids this summer which allows them to become a vet for the day and learn about different animals has opened at Thistles shopping centre -Monday 5th JulyThe Littlest Pet Shop has opened its doors at Thistles shopping centre in Stirling. A free event for kids, it will run from Friday 2 – Thursday 29 July, offering visitors the chance to take part in fun animal-themed activities during the summer holidays.In what promises to b... Find Out More...

- Six free monthly events teaching children how to save the world -The Wolf Pack kids club is returning to Thistles shopping centre in Stirling on Sunday 27 June, giving children the opportunity to have fun while learning about wellbeing and how to create a more sustainable future for all.The Wolf Pack returns with six free events which will take place on the last Sunday of every month from 11am – 4pm, offering sessions full of creativity, excitement, and eco-friendly educational acti... Find Out More...

A free event for all kids this summer which allows them to become a vet for the day and learn all about different animals -Friday 18th June 2021With the summer holidays fast approaching and families looking for fun activities to attend with their children, particularly as foreign holidays are largely off the agenda this year, Thistles shopping centre in Stirling has announced a free event for kids in the form of The Littlest Pet Shop, which will run ... Find Out More...

One business will be given a retail unit in the city centre shopping mall to operate from free of charge for a three-month period ~Open to businesses across Stirling and Forth Valley, the initiative falls under the centre’s new #ThistlesHelps campaign ~Thursday 10th June 2021Thistles shopping centre in Stirling has launched a new initiative, #ThistlesHelps, aimed at helping the local community in its recovery post Covid 19. The first offering under the new scheme is the centre giv... Find Out More...

New Covid-19 safety measures ensure a comfortable and welcoming shopping environment in the heart of Stirling-Thistles shopping centre, Stirling, is getting ready to welcome back loyal customers and new visitors from Monday 26th April 2021. With customer safety at its heart, the centre has implemented a number of measures to protect visitors and ensure they can shop its fashion, lifestyle and beauty retailers with peace of mind, including late night shopping.For those who aren’t feeli... Find Out More...

Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise is making it easier to volunteer, or find volunteers, with the launch of the region’s first digital platform dedicated to local volunteering opportunities.Launching on Tuesday 1st June to mark the start of Volunteers’ Week, the new portal is a ‘one stop shop’ for volunteering in Stirlingshire, making finding opportunities and recruiting and managing volunteers much simpler.Stirlingvolunteering.org will give people free access to local volunteering op... Find Out More...

With the national lockdown having lifted, the UK high street is starting to thrive once again. Whilst it’s exciting for many that our favourite shops are now back open, others find the increased number of people, lights and sounds overwhelming and stressful.Family-owned high street toy retailer The Entertainer, has extended its much-loved Quiet Hour to run every day in every one of its 171 stores across the country. The initiative aims to create a calmer shopping environment for autistic ... Find Out More...

Stirling born former Scotland footballing legend, Gary Caldwell, attended Thistles shopping centre in Stirling today to launch a new interactive wall encouraging shoppers to have a go at playing Scotland’s national anthem. Unveiled the month before Scotland enters the Euros, the installation spans a whopping 35 metres and allows visitors to the centre to play Flower of Scotland. People of all ages can get involved by following the sheet music and pressing buttons with the corresp... Find Out More...

Thistles Shopping Centre is offering its youngest visitors the chance to lap up some additional fun as they learn how to be kinder to the planet at its Wolf Pack kids’ club, which recently returned in an all-new digital format.Each month until November, little ones can take part in eco-themed activities by collecting a free ‘make and take’ box from the information desk at the shopping centre, which contains everything needed to let their creativity run wild.Families can then log onto ... Find Out More...

Savvy shoppers in Stirling have been heading to Thistles in their droves to snap up a selection of bargains from the shopping centre’s newest arrival, which opened this week.Popular discount books, art supplies, games and stationery store, The Works, is the latest addition to the Thistles family and is receiving a great reception from visitors. Located at The Marches end of the mall, in the former Internacionale unit, the retailer is offering fantastic, money-saving promotions across all ... Find Out More...

Generous donations will help great causes Two local charities have received a much-deserved surprise, with £300 donated to each thanks to visitors at Thistles who have been kindly putting loose change inside an ancient well within an attraction at the shopping centre. As many know, Thistles is built on a 16th century jail and proudly displays The Bastion – the remains of a defensive tower, which was once part of Stirling’s Town Wall. The dunge... Find Out More...

A manager at Thistles has won thousands of pounds after taking part in the popular daytime quiz, Pointless.Last week saw locals Chris Watson, retail liaison manager at Thistles, and his wife Eve, appearing on two nail-biting episodes of the hit BBC show hosted by Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman, where contestants have to score the lowest amount of points possible.The local couple beat three other pairs of contestants and found themselves £4,250 richer having answered the final q... Find Out More...

JOIN THE ARCTIC JOURNEY ON THIS UNMISSABLE FREE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE WITH ICE FISHING FUN, SNOWY STORY TELLING, SNOWBALL PIT AND FESTIVE FLOOR GAMES PLUS MEET SANTA IN HIS ICE CHAMBER GROTTOChristmas, it’s the most magical time of the year and Thistles, Stirling has welcomed the arrival of NORTH POLE HQ, this year’s in-centre festive activity.Guaranteeing a truly unmissable experience for children and families, NORTH POLE HQ is now running daily between 11am and 4pm until Tuesday the ... Find Out More...

Thistles, Stirling has announced Petre Dobre, the inspirational BSL Director of Macrobert Arts Centre as the final recruit of 2019 to its #STIRLINGSHINES campaign. Aiming to discover the undiscovered, #STIRLINGSHINES has been celebrating the achievements of local talent throughout the year. From rising stars of sport and groundbreaking chefs to designers and musicians working internationally, the spotlight has been shone on them by Thistles. Now as the year concludes... Find Out More...

Thistles, Stirling has launched its Christmas Market which is now running daily in the centre until Monday the 30th of December.Bringing extra cheer to what is already shaping up to be the best ever Christmas at Thistles, the Christmas Market is located beside Primark and is offering a fantastic selection of gifts including personalised decorations, wreaths, cheeses, home fragrances and much more.In keeping with the season of goodwill, and in a gesture that is sure to prove popular wi... Find Out More...

Thistles, Stirling has announced a pop-up cinema and a community hub named ‘The Snug’ will be launching in the centre.The exciting new attraction, presented in partnership with Macrobert Arts Centre, will see the former Quiz unit, located between Oasis and Barrhead Travel, transformed into a must-visit destination for Christmas.Shoppers who spend £10 in Thistles at any store or who have bought a Thistles Gift Card and keep a copy of their receipt, between 1st November and 14th Decembe... Find Out More...

Football fans are in for a treat as the William Hill Scottish Cup is set to arrive at Thistles, Stirling.The stopover at Thistles takes place 10am – 4pm on Saturday the 16th and 11am – 4pm on Sunday the 17th of November and is part of a nationwide tour that aims to promote the William Hill Scottish Cup, as well as the Hampden Football Museum.Bringing the Cup to its fans, the tour encourages fans to reminisce on their own Scottish Cup memories, and get their picture with the prestigiou... Find Out More...

Thistles, Stirling was the scene of fang-tastic fun as over 700 budding young scientists descended on the centre across the October break.For five action-packed days, kids were invited to grab a coat and goggles and enjoy a range of monstrously good, free fun including face painting makeovers, creepy cookie-making classes, crazy professor lab experiments and slimy science concoctions.What’s more the spooktacular success continues this weekend as The Wolf Pack kids’ club return on Sund... Find Out More...

Thistles, Stirling celebrated National Grandparents Day with a special Bottomless Brunch (tea, of course!) in the centre.Grandchildren were invited to BYOG (Bring Your Own Grandparent) to the party where they designed their own greeting cards whilst grandparents enjoyed free tea and cupcakes. Entertainment was provided courtesy of a live band who played tea dance music.Amongst the guests were grandmother Moira Porteous with granddaughter Rachel King (aged 6) from Polmont, Falkirk.... Find Out More...

Thistles, Stirling was the scene of a rousing music performance at the weekend as the Stirling Gaelic Choir treated shoppers to a live performance in the centre.The award-winning choir presented an exclusive preview of some of the songs they have prepared for the Royal National Mod, which takes place in Glasgow later this month, as well as some old favourites.These included Sine Bhan (a soldier thinking about Jane, his sweetheart), Gradh Geal mo Chridhe (the well know Eriskay love son... Find Out More...

TENNIS STAR ROSIE STERK ANNOUNCED AS LATEST TALENTED RECRUIT FOR THISTLES #STIRLINGSHINES CAMPAIGNThistles, Stirling has announced Rosie Sterk, the young Scottish tennis player hailed as the country’s most exciting new talent, as the latest star recruit to its #STIRLINGSHINES campaign.The 16-year-old has had a meteoric rise over the last two years culminating in her biggest career win to date this summer; winning the Scottish Junior Open Championship. Three hundred of the most talente... Find Out More...

THISTLES, STIRLING AND CREATIVE STIRLING LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN TO CREATE A NEW DESIGN AND A NEW HOME FOR THE CENTRE’S LEGENDARY WOODEN SCUPLTURE SLIDEThistles, Stirling in partnership with Creative Stirling has announced the centre’s legendary spider slide is being redesigned and the finished sculpture gifted to a new home in the city.As part of the design competition, an invitation is being extended to the local community to become part of a ‘people’s history’ timeline by sharing their m... Find Out More...