TWO new businesses have opened in a Basingstoke shopping centre.

Homeware retailer Miniso and ice cream parlour The G Factory both welcomed customers for the first time at the weekend.

Miniso, which has opened in the unit previously occupied by Jack Wills, offers a range of high-quality, affordable products including toys, tech, stationery, homeware, food and beauty, as well as products from partnerships with brands including Disney, Toy Story, Minions and We Bare Bears.

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The Festival Place branch is Miniso’s eighth franchise in the UK and its 17th overall.

Its lucky mascot Penpen was at the shopping centre on Saturday to meet shoppers who were also treated to a drumming performance to celebrate the opening.

Saad Usman, chief operating officer at Miniso UK, said: “We're delighted to announce the launch of our store at Festival Place. We believe that the opening of this store, our first in Hampshire, is the perfect place for us to continue our expansion in the UK.

“At Miniso UK, we’re committed to getting the retail industry back on its feet, demonstrated not only by the investment into our fantastic new store, but also the creation of 10-15 new jobs in the local market.

“With innovative and exciting products that are high-quality and great value, we look forward to welcoming customers of all ages through our doors on opening day and beyond.”

Festival Place centre director Neil Churchill said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Miniso to Festival Place. We’re delighted this excellent global brand is joining our ever-expanding retail offering, and we’re confident the new store will prove to be a hit with our customers.”

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The G Factory also opened in time for the weekend, opposite Burger King.

Specialising in Italian gelato, waffles, crepes, sorbets and sundaes, the dessert parlour offers 30 different gelato and fruity sorbet flavours that change with the seasons, including chocolate and lime, dark chocolate and cherry, tiramisu, and dragon fruit.

Vegan flavours include cherry, Lotus Biscoff and pistachio.

The dessert parlour will also offer artisan desserts such as warm cookie dough, butterscotch strawberry crepes, mango and coconut waffles and Lotus Biscoff Sundae as well as specially roasted coffee, milkshakes and smoothies.

The G Factory is the second ice cream shop to open in Basingstoke town centre in recent months after Scooperb opened in Wote Street in August.