Member Article

Capturing life behind the shop window at Manor Walks

Northumberland art students offered shoppers a rare behind-the-scenes insight into daily life at the county’s largest retail and leisure destination with a series of environmental portraits.

HND Photography students from Northumberland College were given the opportunity to shadow employees working at Manor Walks Shopping & Leisure in Cramlington as part of their latest project.

‘Behind the Shop Window at Manor Walks’ saw 11 students partner with a selection of retailers, including Next, Boots, Pets at Home, O2, Barclays, Asda, Vue Cinema, Three, Coffee As You Like It and Poundland. Following the employees during their normal working day, the project aimed to capture the familiar yet surprising role of a shopping centre worker.

James Davoll, photography lecturer at Northumberland College, said: “This was such a valuable and exciting opportunity for our students to engage in a live project within a commercial environment and we were delighted with the support which Manor Walks offered to those involved. Having exclusive access to photograph subjects in a busy retail setting such as Manor Walks allowed the students to challenge people’s perceptions, whilst significantly developing their coursework portfolios.”

Bruno Coppola, general manager at Manor Walks, added: “Set in the heart of the Cramlington community, we were thrilled to welcome students from Northumberland College to the centre as part of such an innovative project that is integral to their studies.

“We wanted to create a project in partnership with the course tutors, which would put into focus the very people which make Manor Walks such a warm and friendly place to visit. We received a fantastic response to the project from visitors to Manor Walks who were keen to watch our photographers at work and we’re extremely grateful to our retailers who fully embraced this opportunity.”

Following the completion of the project each student displayed their black and white and digital photographs taken at the shopping centre during a free exhibition hosted by Manor Walks and Digital Community Youth, at the Venue.

Digital Community Youth project manager Mick Harland said: “The project has been a real talking point throughout the centre and we are privileged to have hosted this fantastic community event at the Venue.”

With over 100 retailers including Northumberland’s only multiplex cinema and a great range of family restaurants as well as high street favourites, independent stores and 1,500 free parking spaces, Manor Walks Shopping & Leisure in Cramlington offers a huge amount of choice to suit a range of tastes.

To keep up-to-date on Manor Walks events visit www.manorwalks.co.uk, like the official Facebook page and follow @ManorWalks on Twitter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure .