SEVERAL firms have opened their doors for the first time in Southampton in the past year.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, owners have managed to get their new sites open during one of the hardest periods for businesses.
Now the city's business improvement district (BID), Go!Southampton is urging residents and visitors to the city to take a look at some of the new sites.
In a list published on the BID's website, it has shared a range of new businesses that are now starting to open fully for the first time since restrictions were eased:
New shops
Westquay shopping centre has been the site of several new firms in the past year with one new shop, Hamleys, opening on May 7.
The toy shop offers everything from teddies, games and Lego, to arts and crafts.
As well as this, luxury retailer, Flannels is due to open in the autumn.
The shop will offer luxury fashion for men, women and children with "big designer names".
Elsewhere, Geek Retreat has opened on East Street offering a large variety of games, video games and superhero merchandise.
The site is expected to become a place where visitors can come to play games, whilst enjoying a milkshake or burger.
May also saw the opening of Kookie Tattoo, a new tattoo parlour at 114 High Street.
Offering custom tattoos, the new parlour claims to use the "finest inks, state of the art methods and exclusively award winning artists".
New restaurants and bars
On Above Bar Street, Gin and Olive is due to open after getting the green light from licensing chiefs recently.
As well as this, the street has also welcomed a new Japanese takeaway in Kokoro which is now open seven days a week.
Oxford Street has recently welcomed one of its newest cocktail bars as the newly opened Pam Pam began trading.
Offering a variety of drinks and a pizza menu, the new firm offers indoor and outdoor seating.
Oxford Street also became the new home of OX:47 Lounge, the city's smallest micro cocktail bar.
Providing the Southampton community with an array of Prosecco, gins and draught lagers, the bar is open daily from 12pm until 9pm.
Another cocktail bar also set up shop on Oxford Street in Rita's Bar, with Tropic Bar and Porters Steakhouse also opening at the popular city location.
At Bedford Place, Happy Bean Coffee Bar has opened its doors, serving artisan coffee, cakes and snacks, with Florio's D'Italia, a new deli also due to open.
Ruby's at the Grand, a new cocktail lounge is also spoiling residents for choice where cocktails are concerned after opening at South Western House, Terminus Terrace.
Whilst the newest club in the city, Trilogy is also offering Southampton's clubbers a new night out with its new Disco Room and R&B/Urban/House room.
New things to do
High Score Arcade, a new concept free-play amusement is offering a variety of arcade machines to enjoy.
The East Street site is taking bookings in advance online for those who are feeling competitive.
Whilst other gamers will be able to quench their thirst for a retro gaming experience at Marlands Shopping Centre's Nu Games Arcade.
Coming to Guildhall Square as well will also be Sharkeys Sports Bar which already operates another site in Bournemouth.
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