Tag: shopping

North East Charity Offer Afternoon Of Shopping And Indulgence

By on 12th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

A girly afternoon of shopping, pampering and indulgence is on offer in aid of a leading North East charity…

 

Sunderland-based Hope 4 Kidz – which supports youngsters with a range of special needs – is hosting Handbags and High Tea at the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton Hotel on Saturday November 21st.

The event, running from 2pm until 5pm, will give attendees the opportunity to shop at a range of unique stalls, buy Christmas gifts, test out beauty treatments and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea.

Also organised for the day are a range of raffles and auctions, with everyone who attends being entered into a free draw for a mystery prize.

Guests will also be given the opportunity to see the extensive spa facilities at the hotel and find out more about the treatments on offer.

“Handbags and High Tea was a huge success for us last year, and we’re delighted to be repeating it in a new area and venue” said Viv Watts, who runs Hope 4 Kidz.

“It’s a fantastic setting, we’ve got some great stalls and it’s a real opportunity to indulge in a spot of pampering, retail therapy and Christmas shopping, all while helping a good cause.”

All proceeds from Handbags and High Tea will go to support Hope 4 Kidz’s free Santa’s Christmas Party, attended by children from across the North East suffering from mental or physical disabilities, long term illness, or poverty and abuse.

Since it was established in May 2007 the charity has helped 33,000 children by hosting events like this to help raise funds.

Tickets for Handbags and High Tea are priced £15.95 each, including the tea and a goody bag for all attendees.

For more information or to book, contact Hope 4 Kidz on 0191 534 7788, or email vivien.watts@hope4kidz.org.uk.

Chaplain And Cadets Lead Remembrance Service At Metrocentre

By on 6th November 2015in What's New?, What's On?

Servicemen and women who’ve lost their lives in conflict will be remembered in a special event at intu Metrocentre this weekend…

Young cadets from the police and ATC (Air Training Corps) will lead a parade through the centre from Town Square to Exhibition Square at 2.40pm on Sunday November 8th.

This will be followed at 3pm by a special remembrance service, led by intu Metrocentre Chaplain, Lyn Jamieson, paying tribute to those injured and killed in action, as well as the friends and family who have been affected since World War 1.

The Salvation Army, Newcastle City Temple Band and The Ad Murum Singers from Heddon-on-the-Wall, will also be performing between 2.25pm and 2.45pm. 

Helen Atkinson, marketing manager at intu Metrocentre, said: “Lyn Jamieson’s Remembrance Day services are always very moving.  We’re honoured to have the police and ATC cadets helping us this year and hope to pay a fitting tribute to all the civilian and armed forces personnel who have lost their lives serving our country in conflicts past and present.”

A separate two minute silence will be observed at intu Metrocentre at 11am on Wednesday November 11th, where visitors can take a moment of silent reflection at the venue’s special Poppy Chandelier.

Lyn said, “The commitment and sacrifice made by so many, on behalf of us all, must never be forgotten. It is extremely important that we continue to observe Remembrance Sunday.”

Members of the press are invited to attend intu Metrocentre at 2.40pm on Sunday November 8th, to capture the cadets’ parade and the remembrance service, led by Chaplain Lyn Jamieson.  

They are also invited to return at 11am on Wednesday November 11th for a two minute silence at the centre’s Poppy Chandelier. To confirm your attendance please contact Sorted PR on 0191 265 6111.

Christmas Comes Early To The Bridges, Sunderland

By on 5th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Sunderland’s the Bridges shopping centre is helping take the stress out of this Christmas with a whole host of incentives…

They’ll be playing Santa themselves, with a giveaway gift card scheme for anyone spending more than £100.

The shopping centre, which currently runs late night shopping on Thursdays, will be open until 8pm throughout the week from December 7th up until December 23rd.

During this time shoppers will be able to park for free in the Bridges’ car parks from 5.30pm until 9pm, as an added incentive to come into the city centre.

The Bridges is also reintroducing its successful gift card scheme, with anyone who spends more than £100 during any late night shop receiving a free £10 voucher.

“Christmas can be a stressful time when it comes to all the gifts that need to be bought, which is why we’ve gone all out to make sure it’s more of a pleasure than a chore for our customers,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges.

“Later trading hours will make it much easier for our customers to get here after work or just shop in a more leisurely fashion.”

Santa’s grotto, at Central Square in the Bridges, will also be open from November 12th to give children the chance to meet Santa.

Entry into Santa’s grotto is £1.50, with 50p from every entry fee going to Rotary SR1, a group which works together on projects to make a difference and give back to the local community.

Along with the extended opening hours, the Bridges will be open even later on Black Friday, which falls on November 27th this year, with some stores staying open as late as 10pm.

For more information, full opening times and gift card terms and conditions please visit www.thebridges-shopping.com.

Sunderland Shopping Centre Looking For Christmas ‘Toy Testers’

By on 21st October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A Sunderland shopping centre is looking for a team of youngsters who can take on an important festive job – as toy testers…

Sunderland’s Bridges Shopping Centre is looking to form a group of discerning youngsters to test out this Christmas’ ‘must have’ toys from the centre’s leading retailers.

As a reward all members of the selection panel will receive a £50 gift voucher to spend on toys for themselves.

Youngsters aged between five and nine-years-old can put themselves forward to be a tester, by sending in a video no more than one minute long, showing their favourite toy and explaining why they like it.

Then the winning group will be invited in for a special session at the Bridges where they can try out some of the new season’s toys and vote for those they like best.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to find out what youngsters want this Christmas and for them to test out the toys in advance,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director at the Bridges.

“And it also means we get to know what are likely to be the best sellers.

“Hopefully it will also help families decide what to buy for their children, knowing that it’s got the seal of approval from a group of youngsters.”

Anyone wanting to be considered for the toy testing panel should email their video to customerservices@bridgessunderland.co.uk. They need to include their contact details and parental consent to them taking part.

The closing date for would-be toy testers to send a video is Monday November 2nd.

Sunderland Shopping Centre Expansion Plans To Be Exhibited

By on 15th October 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

Sunderland shoppers will be able to get the first look at the exciting new expansion plans for the Bridges, with an exhibition of the proposed development going on display this weekend (October 17th).

The new scheme includes a new large store for an as-yet-unnamed leading retailer adjacent to the centre, and will provide improved public spaces and new parking facilities.

As part of the planning process, local people are being given the opportunity to share their views, and with that in mind, an informal exhibition showcasing the plans will be on view on Saturday 17th October from 10am to 4.30pm, and on Sunday 18th October from 11.30am and 4pm.

Visitors to the exhibition, in Central Square at the Bridges, will be invited to give their feedback, or alternatively they can view the plans and give their feedback online at www.thebridges-shopping.com from Oct 17th.

All feedback and comments are welcomed by Nov 2nd 2015.

“This is a very exciting time for the Bridges,” said Andy Bradley, Centre Director, “and we hope as many people as possible will come and view the plans and let us know their thoughts.”

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