Member Article

Metrocentre celebrates 25th anniversary

It is 25 years since the Metrocentre opened it’s doors as Europe’s largest shopping and leisure centre.

This weekend a mammoth fireworks display, thought to be the biggest the North East has ever seen, will mark the end of a series of celebrations that have been running all year.

Bosses are inviting shoppers past, present and new to the event which will feature fairground rides for children and adults and live broadcasting by Metro and Magic Radio.

A selection of the centre’s restaurants are also offering 25% discounts across the weekend.

Tim Lamb, Metrocentre general manager, said: “We are very excited about our culmination showcase event to celebrate our 25th birthday.

“It’s been a fantastic year for us, where we have been able to thank our loyal customers by giving them a series of fantastic money-can’t-buy prizes, and experiences.

“This event is a massive thank you to everyone who has shopped, played and worked at the centre over the last 25 years - and we look forward to seeing a great turnout.”

Throughout the year, flashmobs, fashion shows, dance acts and the launch of ‘Larger than Life’,’ a series of giant metallic sculptures of shoppers, have helped to celebrate a quarter of a century of shopping.

A series of ‘what’s in the bag?’ competitions also gave customers the chance to win prizes such as a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix and £3,000 worth of Apple products.

Gosforth-based charity, St Oswald’s Hospice, is also celebrating its 25th birthday and will be hosting a Celebrity Strictly event on Sunday October 16.

Since opening in 1986, Metrocentre has helped to create over 7000 jobs and now attracts almost 23 million visitors a year.

It was one of the first British shopping malls to combine leisure and shopping, and after expanding to over 340 shops and three and a half miles of shop front, the centre continues to grow 25 years later.

Friday Oct 14: Fairground rides start at 6.00pm and fireworks at 8.15pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .