Elf and Safety, this cheeky pair of elves, were formerly Santa's bodyguards.  However, due to circumstances beyond their control, they have 'misplaced' Santa and need you to help them find him.

Their 'elf and safety' training at the North Pole will also help to ensure that your shopping trip is free from danger. With light up details and a fabulous sense of humour they are guaranteed to put you in the festive spirit! 

With 3 half hour performances over the day (11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.00pm) whatever time of day you are doing your Christmas shopping you won't miss out on the fun!

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Christmas "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent crafters, artists and traders.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Christmas this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Hallowe'en "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent small businesses

Join us for Frightful Fun, Ghoulish Giveaways and Petrifying Prizes and as usual, an array of independent small businesses with Freakishly Fabulous stalls.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Halloween this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Hallowe'en "Pop-up" Shopping Village hosted by LITEs Events.
It's More Than Your Average Craft Fair!

Find an array of gifts, arts and crafts all in one place supplied by local independent small businesses

Join us for Frightful Fun, Ghoulish Giveaways and Petrifying Prizes and as usual, an array of independent small businesses with Freakishly Fabulous stalls.

Find something unique and support small local businesses whilst you are shopping for Halloween this year!

Find out more on our website litesevents.com or Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LITEsEvents/

Did you know that if you pat a unicorns nose and make a wish then it will come true? 

Just one little magical fact about unicorns that these two woodland fairies share with the audience. 

Don't forget to collect some magic fairy dust too...! This act is one for small children and adults alike!

With 3 half our walkabouts over the day (11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm) there's plenty of opportunity for you to catch the unicorn

LITEs Easter Shopping Village 13^th-14^th April 2019

You are invited to our Easter Extravaganza in Stafford's Guildhall Shopping Centre to browse the EGGsellent wares of our local traders.

You will find us there all weekend!

Serving cakes, arts, crafts and gifts you will find something for everyone!

Full list of exhibitors now confirmed:

Amber Rocks Art- Alternative Art and Taxidermy Gifts

Jokerr Designs- Unique Handmade Jewellery

Look What Dad Made- Jams, Chutney’s and Preserves

Pumpkin Patch Gifts- Leather Bags, Purses, Keyrings and Gifts

Ezay Shop Ltd- Squishies and Children’s Gifts

I Love Cats and Monsters- Art and Handmade Gifts

A Jewel Shining Through- Crystals and Affirmation Cards and Gifts

Tiffany B- Large Bottle Lights, Catnip Mice and Gifts

KJ’s Cakes- Easter Themed Cakes and Goodies

Toni Belle Gifts- Unique Gifts and Homewares

Adorn Anew- Fairtrade Handmade Crafts and Jewellery

For more details on this event click https://www.facebook.com/events/2134515309975274/

See our website for more LITEs Events in Staffordshire https://litesevents.com

As part of Autism Awareness Week our charity for this year will be in the Guildhall on Wednesday 3rd and Saturday 6th April to help raise awareness of autism.

Nas Stafford Branch, representatives from Midlands Psychology's support group AU-Sums will be coming along to talk to you about their work and support offered to autistic children and their families.

Please do coming along to see what they are all about, join in the fun and donate to the cause!

Saturday 15^th December will see Make Some Noise, their Musicians, Volunteers  and members of the public celebrating the finale of their Share a Song campaign.

There will be opportunities for families, young people and all to join in with musical activities, film a song for the campaign, play with the band, and enjoy other musical fun!

You can donate your time, like, follow and share the fun on Facebook or simply come and find out a bit more about our wonderful charity

Our annual children's fun week is back but with a slightly different take on it! This year we are spreading it out with activities every Monday for five weeks.

We are also aiming each activity at a smaller age range. The first and third weeks are aimed at ages 3-5, the second and fourth at ages 6-8 and the final week at 9 and above. Whilst older/younger children are of course welcome to come along and join in, and we of course wouldn't turn them away, please be aware that they may find the activity a bit tedious or hard, depending on their age and ability! You will need to book them a place if they want to join in.

This fun workshop is very popular with parents as well as children! 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

There are three sessions to choose from each day, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Sessions last one hour each.

You only need to reserve a space for children (adults don't need a ticket). 

The workshops will take place in the vacant unit between Yours Clothing and The Works. Subject to change at short notice. If any changes occur we'll be in touch with all ticket holders. 

Each year at Fun Week we collect donations for our charity of the year, this year we are supporting the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance

Book your tickets here

Our annual children's fun week is back but with a slightly different take on it! This year we are spreading it out with activities every Monday for five weeks.

We are also aiming each activity at a smaller age range. The first and third weeks are aimed at ages 3-5, the second and fourth at ages 6-8 and the final week at 9 and above. Whilst older/younger children are of course welcome to come along and join in, and we of course wouldn't turn them away, please be aware that they may find the activity a bit tedious or hard, depending on their age and ability! You will need to book them a place if they want to join in.

This fun workshop is very popular with parents as well as children! 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

There are three sessions to choose from each day, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Sessions last one hour each.

You only need to reserve a space for children (adults don't need a ticket). 

The workshops will take place in the vacant unit between Yours Clothing and The Works. Subject to change at short notice. If any changes occur we'll be in touch with all ticket holders. 

Each year at Fun Week we collect donations for our charity of the year, this year we are supporting the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance

Book your tickets here

Our annual children's fun week is back but with a slightly different take on it! This year we are spreading it out with activities every Monday for five weeks.

We are also aiming each activity at a smaller age range. The first and third weeks are aimed at ages 3-5, the second and fourth at ages 6-8 and the final week at 9 and above. Whilst older/younger children are of course welcome to come along and join in, and we of course wouldn't turn them away, please be aware that they may find the activity a bit tedious or hard, depending on their age and ability! You will need to book them a place if they want to join in.

This fun workshop is very popular with parents as well as children! 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

There are three sessions to choose from each day, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Sessions last one hour each.

You only need to reserve a space for children (adults don't need a ticket). 

The workshops will take place in the vacant unit between Yours Clothing and The Works. Subject to change at short notice. If any changes occur we'll be in touch with all ticket holders. 

Each year at Fun Week we collect donations for our charity of the year, this year we are supporting the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance

Book your tickets here

Our annual children's fun week is back but with a slightly different take on it! This year we are spreading it out with activities every Monday for five weeks.

We are also aiming each activity at a smaller age range. The first and third weeks are aimed at ages 3-5, the second and fourth at ages 6-8 and the final week at 9 and above. Whilst older/younger children are of course welcome to come along and join in, and we of course wouldn't turn them away, please be aware that they may find the activity a bit tedious or hard, depending on their age and ability! You will need to book them a place if they want to join in.

This fun workshop is very popular with parents as well as children! 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

There are three sessions to choose from each day, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Sessions last one hour each.

You only need to reserve a space for children (adults don't need a ticket). 

The workshops will take place in the vacant unit between Yours Clothing and The Works. Subject to change at short notice. If any changes occur we'll be in touch with all ticket holders. 

Each year at Fun Week we collect donations for our charity of the year, this year we are supporting the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance

Book your tickets here

Our annual children's fun week is back but with a slightly different take on it! This year we are spreading it out with activities every Monday for five weeks.

We are also aiming each activity at a smaller age range. The first and third weeks are aimed at ages 3-5, the second and fourth at ages 6-8 and the final week at 9 and above. Whilst older/younger children are of course welcome to come along and join in, and we of course wouldn't turn them away, please be aware that they may find the activity a bit tedious or hard, depending on their age and ability! You will need to book them a place if they want to join in.

This fun workshop is very popular with parents as well as children! 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

There are three sessions to choose from each day, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Sessions last one hour each.

You only need to reserve a space for children (adults don't need a ticket). 

The workshops will take place in the vacant unit between Yours Clothing and The Works. Subject to change at short notice. If any changes occur we'll be in touch with all ticket holders. 

Each year at Fun Week we collect donations for our charity of the year, this year we are supporting the Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance

Book your tickets here

An opportunity for younger visitors to the centre to explore their artistic flair and talents. They can practise their existing skills or learn something new at one of our creative workshops.

Children will go home with something they have created in the workshop and will also be awarded a special artist’s medal.

Our professional artists Anthony and Rachel will use low tool technology and high hands on techniques to teach simple art and craft skills.

On Thursday 31st May we have Rachel who will be running a paint based art workshop.

5 workshops each day starting at 11am with the last one at 3pm. Each will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

All materials will be supplied free of charge including aprons.

There will also be an artist’s trail around the centre, follow the clues, solve the puzzle to be in with a chance of a prize, plus a giant colouring in mural.

With only 12 spaces per session available it is first come first served. Click here to book

An opportunity for younger visitors to the centre to explore their artistic flair and talents. They can practise their existing skills or learn something new at one of our creative workshops.

Children will go home with something they have created in the workshop and will also be awarded a special artist’s medal.

Our professional artists Anthony and Rachel will use low tool technology and high hands on techniques to teach simple art and craft skills.

On Wednesday 30th May the workshops will be sculpture based art with Anthony teaching ‘soap carving’.

5 workshops each day starting at 11am with the last one at 3pm. Each will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

All materials will be supplied free of charge including aprons.

There will also be an artist’s trail around the centre, follow the clues, solve the puzzle to be in with a chance of a prize, plus a giant colouring in mural.

With a limit of 12 children per session it is first come first served. Click here to book tickets

For the first time ever, Guildhall Shopping Centre is inviting younger visitors to enter an art competition, with the winners’ work becoming larger then life murals in the centre.

The winning works will be displayed on the walls in the mall next to The Entertainer store.

The theme of 2018’s competition is ‘Staffordshire’ – it could be the favourite place, a famous landmark or what makes Staffordshire stand out to you. There is no limit – only your imagination.

There are three age categories for the competition and a winner will be chosen from each category. These will then be blown up and printed onto foamex board to fit the stated sized area;

7 – 10 years (2.7m x 2.6m)

11 – 14 years (4.2m x 2.7m)

15 – 18 years (6.9m x 2.6m)

For full details on how to apply please visit the "News" section of our website

Enjoy your Christmas shopping in the Guildhall Shopping Centre on Saturday 17th December and you will be in for an added treat.  Customers will be offered the opportunity to use a FREE gift wrapping service for any purchases made in the Guildhall on the day when they will be beautifully gift wrapped by our friendly staff.

Guildhall Shopping Centre Marketing Manager Anne Graham said: “Our customers really enjoyed our free gift wrapping service that we offered for Mother's Day and now we are pleased to be able to bring it back to the Guildhall for Christmas.  We can’t think of a better way to thank our customers for their loyalty than to give a helping hand this Christmas”.

The Guildhall’s Christmas events programme is being organized by “Only on the High Street” - who specialise in organising events for shopping centres and high street retailers.

Director Laraine Robathan-Field said: “Traditional retailing continues to face stiff competition from the growth of online shopping, so it is imperative for retailers to be innovative and think creatively to survive and compete.

“The key is to provide the customer with an experience they can’t get online.  Our tailored Christmas events will help the Guildhall engage with customers and encourage them to visit and shop at the Centre by providing them with a fun and exciting experience.”

Bring the family along to the Guildhall Shopping Centre on Saturday 10th December to see Musical Ruth with her amazing, magical, mobile piano!

Ready for the festive season, Musical Ruth's piano is chock-a-block with all your favourite Christmas songs. Crazy dance routines, hilarious facial contortions and mad sound effects are all mixed up with oodles of festive cheer. Special versions of Jingle Bells, Little Donkey and Mistletoe and Wine are just some of the Christmas songs performed by Sister Ruth, the madcap nun.

Make it one to remember and let Musical Ruth 'BLESS YOU!' this Christmas.

Musical Ruth will be making appearances at 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm (times may vary).

Bring the kids down to the Guildhall this weekend where there will be face painting, a fairy trail and Christmas crafts.  Visit Santa, see the Christmas lights and get in the Christmas spirit with some great face art and activities, all for free!

Visit the Guildhall Shopping Centre on Saturday 3rd December and see the beautiful Winter Fairy.  Her stunning costume literally lights up the dark winter afternoons as she thrills the audience with her skilful contact juggling.  

Bringing a touch of ethereal magic to the malls of the Guildhall and holding audiences spellbound.  The Winter Fairy will appear at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm (times may vary).

Call in at the Guildhall Shopping Centre between Friday 12th August and Sunday 14th August to see a fabulous exhibition of photography.  Members of the Stafford Photographic Society have put together an intriguing and interesting display of their work for everyone to enjoy.  Members of the Society are on hand to answer any questions and explain how  the photographs have been developed- some using a number of layers of photographs to create the finished effect.  

The exhibition is free to enter and everyone is welcome.

The Stafford Photographic Society is a great place to meet new friends and develop your interest in photography.  Visitors and new membes are always made very welcome.  If you are interested in joining or are just curious, visitors are very welcome to come along to one of their meetings.  The Society meets at The Arthur Findlay Centre in Stafford (ST16 2RS) on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm from September through to the end of May (with summer activities).

For more information, visit www.staffordphotosociety.org.uk

An exciting event is coming to the shopping centre on Saturday 28th May 2016.  For the first time ever a 'real live' dinosaur will be walking the malls of the Guildhall in Stafford.

 "Tiny" is a 125 million years young dinosaur brought to life by the wonders of modern science. You can pet her, you can feed her, you can talk to her in dinosaur language; just make sure you avoid the dreaded Thagomizer or you might end up extinct yourself!

Our dinosaur is accompanied by a palaeontologist who presents alively and informative natural history show in which audiences are encouraged to share their knowledge of dinosaurs and to come up with some scientific theories of their own – comparative anatomy has never been so much fun.

This is an amazing opportunity to get up close & personal with a ‘real live’ dinosaur for the first time since the Cretaceous Era and to find out a few things about how they lived and why they disappeared. For example, dinosaurs aren’t quite as extinct as you might think; if you look out of your window you might see one right now!”

As well as meeting "Tiny" children coming along to the Dinosaur Experience Day can participate in free colouring and mask making workshops as well as join in with the free face painting and our tattoo parlour.  

Tiny will be making 3 x 25 minute appearances during the day at 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm.

The Stafford Cheese, Ale and More Festival will take place in the beautiful Market Square, in the heart of the County Town

on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st May 2016.

Cheese makers, breweries and local food producers will fill the Market Square in Stafford, with a fantastic range of products and a fine array of artisan food, as the county town hosts the 2016 Stafford Cheese, Ale and More Festival. The event proved a huge success in 2015 attracting tens of thousands of people to the town and so an extra day has been added as it returns for a third year.

New events for the Friday include, the opportunity to take Afternoon Tea in Market Square (including a scone making demonstration), and the chance to try over 75 different gins at the Stafford Gin Jamboree in the evening, these events are ticket only and must be booked in advance.

On Saturday top local chefs from the Staffordshire Chefs Forum will be getting the crowd's taste buds going with cookery demonstrations and there will be an alfresco bar.

A highlight on the Saturday is ....."The Great Chefs Challenge” – when two local chefs will go head to head in a ready, steady, cook style challenge at 1pm …..make sure you take your seats early; this will be something not to be missed, and two lucky members of the audience will be invited to join the chefs on stage!

For this year’s festival, we have more stands, music, street theatre and more events. Please see below for the latest programme and information on how you get involved:

Mother’s Day is not far away, but have no fear – the Guildhall Shopping Centre is here!

An expert team of gift wrappers will be ready and waiting for shoppers to add the finishing touches to their Mother’s Day gifts that are bought in the Centre. 

The service will be available between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 5^th March – the day before Mother’s Day – and follows on from the popular Christmas gift wrapping event, which has become a fixture on the Guildhall’s calendar.

Guildhall Shopping Centre Marketing Manager Anne Graham said: “We have offered the gift-wrapping service for the past two Christmases and it’s always been really popular.

“It removes all the stress and headache from showing your mum how much you love her – and you can buy her a special card at the same time too from Card Factory or Card Stop!”

As well as offering the free service to shoppers who buy their Mother’s Day gifts in the Centre, the Guildhall team will also be giving away 100 red roses to the first customers who visit them on the day.  Shoppers will also be encouraged to express their feelings for their mums by posting their messages of love and gratitude on our female mannequin.  

Once you shop .... you just can't stop!  Claire's in the Guildhall Shopping Centre will be holding a Shopkins Trading Party in store on Saturday 5th March from 10am.  

Shopkins are the newest super cute grocery-themed collectible characters that every girl will want.  Join Apple Blossom, Strawberry Kiss and the other characters from the Shopkins series with the latest Shopkins toys, bedroom accessories, kitchen playsets and more.  

Whether you're new to Shopkins or an avid collector, you are welcome to join us in store for this fun-tastic trading event.  See you there!!

Fun-packed challenge days are taking place on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th February to celebrate the opening of the new i-Motion gym in the Guildhall Shopping Centre.  Join us in Market Square where you can prove your fitness in the Sled-run Challenge or do our Spin Watt Rate Challenge.  Can you to 'the plank'?  Can you do it for longer than anyone else?  Come down and prove it and win great prizes.  There are some great prizes to be won including gym day passes, membership offers, Fit Packs and personal training sessions.  

Events are open to both members and non-members of i-Motion and anyone wishing to have a tour of the gym will be given a guided tour of the facilities.  

On Friday evening (26th Feb) from 7pm to 8pm members and non-members can join in a Vibe-Spin session and on Sunday from 8am to 8pm there is a Spin-a-thon which is open to everyone.  Simply come down to the reception desk at the i-Motion gym to get signed-in.

The title of ‘Best Flipper In Town’ is up for grabs as we host Stafford’s annual Pancake Race next month.

The race takes place in the Market Square on Tuesday 9 February at 11am. You can enter your teams today at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/pancakerace. Entry costs nothing and you’ll have a chance to take home our coveted trophy.

Our Pancake Race has proven a popular event in recent years with many businesses from across town competing and spectators showing up to contribute to a great atmosphere on the day. We’d love to see any flippers in fancy dress if your team wants to dress up for the event.

Make sure you enter your teams of FOUR by Friday 5 February.

Good luck!

On Saturday 12th December, shoppers at the Guildhall Shopping Centre will be invited to take part in a festive ‘snowman hunt’ to find a number of snowmen hidden in the shops.  If shoppers correctly identify the number of snowmen and answer a simple question, they will be rewarded with a deliciously free cupcake and a chance to win one of the snowmen.

Thanks to a partnership between the Guildhall Shopping Centre and Stafford-based The Original Cupcake Shop, 250 cupcakes will be handed out to shoppers.  

Guildhall Shopping Centre Marketing Manager Anne Graham said: “Our customers really enjoyed our free cupcake giveaway in 2014 and we are pleased to be able to bring it back to the Guildhall this year.  We can’t think of a better way to thank our customers for their loyalty and to give them a special festive treat”.

Steve Moran is an Associate Director at Cushman & Wakefield which manages the Guildhall Shopping Centre.

He said: “We want to thank our customers for shopping at the Guildhall through the challenging times that we are all experiencing in business and in the retail environment.

“Our Festive Cupcake Giveaways  is a small token of our appreciation.”

The Guildhall’s Christmas events programme is being organized by “Only on the High Street” - who specialise in organising events for shopping centres and high street retailers.

Director Laraine Robathan-Field said: “Traditional retailing continues to face stiff competition from the growth of online shopping, so it is imperative for retailers to be innovative and think creatively to survive and compete.

“The key is to provide the customer with an experience they can’t get online.  Our tailored Christmas events will help the Guildhall engage with customers and encourage them to visit and shop at the Centre by providing them with a fun and exciting experience.”

Thanks to a partnership between the Guildhall Shopping Centre and Stafford-based The Original Cupcake Shop, 250 cupcakes will be handed out to shoppers on Saturday 19th December.  Customers will also be offered the opportunity to have any purchases made in the Guildhall on 19th December beautifully gift wrapped FREE OF CHARGE by our friendly staff – and of course anybody taking advantage of this service will receive a free cupcake. 

Alongside the tasty treat, there will also be the chance to participate in a Christmas Sing-Along when professional singer Sammy Hayes will lead the way with performances of ‘Snowman’ songs and other festive favourites.

Guildhall Shopping Centre Marketing Manager Anne Graham said: “Our customers really enjoyed our free cupcake giveaway in 2014 and we are pleased to be able to bring it back to the Guildhall this year.  We can’t think of a better way to thank our customers for their loyalty and to give them a special festive treat”.

Steve Moran is an Associate Director at Cushman & Wakefield which manages the Guildhall Shopping Centre.

He said: “We want to thank our customers for shopping at the Guildhall through the challenging times that we are all experiencing in business and in the retail environment.

“Our Festive Cupcake Giveaways is a small token of our appreciation.”

The Guildhall’s Christmas events programme is being organized by “Only on the High Street” - who specialise in organising events for shopping centres and high street retailers.

Director Laraine Robathan-Field said: “Traditional retailing continues to face stiff competition from the growth of online shopping, so it is imperative for retailers to be innovative and think creatively to survive and compete.

“The key is to provide the customer with an experience they can’t get online.  Our tailored Christmas events will help the Guildhall engage with customers and encourage them to visit and shop at the Centre by providing them with a fun and exciting experience.”

Children and model railway enthusiasts will be thrilled to see a new exhibition coming to the Guildhall Shopping Centre for one weekend only on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25^th October.

This free to enter exhibition will feature two layouts which will amaze visitors with their intricate design and detail.  The first layout will be of interest to our younger shoppers as it is “Hogsmead on Sodor” which features all the children’s favourite engines and is one that they can operate themselves.

The second layout will be “Stackton Tressell”.  This is a modern layout operating many types of trains that can be seen in the West Midlands area. This layout has won “Best in Show” awards at previous exhibitions and there is plenty of action taking place at all times.

The exhibition will be open 9am to 5pm on Saturday 24th October and from 10am to 4.00pm on Sunday 25th October.

For more information about the Stafford Railway Circle, visit www.staffordrailwaycircle.org.uk

Dancers, musicians, and artists will be taking to the streets of Stafford for the town’s 5^th ‘Arts Festival’.

The Festival is the brainchild of Stafford’s Town Centre Partnership along with the Borough Council with the ‘Arts Fest’ to go ahead in September.

As well as dancers and musicians providing a carnival atmosphere for the day, the event will include a range of art workshops including the “painting party” and balloon modelling.

Performers in the town’s Market Square,  will include professional Brazilian  drummers and dancers ‘Art Brasil’ and the Stafford  Morris Men, The local dance partnership and delightful children’s group Dappa Dance will also be entertaining members of the public.

Talented street theatre favourite the “Bubbleologist” will delight the crowds with his amazing bubble tricks - from giant bubbles to very tiny bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles and lots more.

Residents and visitors will also get the chance to enjoy activities at various venues around the town centre including, exhibitions at the Shirehall Gallery and the Ancient High House, storytelling at Stafford Railway Station and  poetry at the Gainsborough art studio.

In addition to an Arts & Craft Fayre inside the Guildhall Shopping Centre, with over 25 local crafters demonstrating and selling their unique goods, there will also be an art and craft market along Greengate Street offering an array of goods. 

Chris Lewis, Chair of Stafford Town Centre Partnership said : “This is another exciting project for the town and builds on the great work the partnership has been doing to make sure Stafford is seen as a place to visit”

The festival is set to get underway on Saturday 5th September.

Call in at the Guildhall Shopping Centre on Friday 13th or Saturday 14th August to see a fabulous exhibition of photography.  Members of the Stafford Photographic Society have put together an intriguing and interesting display of their work for everyone to enjoy.  Members of the Society are on hand to answer any questions and explain how  the photographs have been developed- some using a number of layers of photographs to create the finished effect.  

The exhibition will also return to the Guildhall on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August.  It is free to enter and everyone is welcome.

The Stafford Photographic Society is a great place to meet new friends and develop your interest in photography.  Visitors and new membes are always made very welcome.  If you are interested in joining or are just curious, visitors are very welcome to come along to one of their meetings.  The Society meets at The Arthur Findlay Centre in Stafford (ST16 2RS) on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm from September through to the end of May (with summer activities).

For more information, visit www.staffordphotosociety.org.uk

• Nordic walking has its roots in the 1930’s when cross-country skiers came up with a way of training in the summer months using just poles;
• Nordic Walking is a form of physical activity where the active use of a pair of specially designed Nordic Walking poles is added to regular walking;
• The common characteristics of natural, bio-mechanically correct walking and appropriate posture are maintained in all aspects;
• Technically correct use of the poles integrates activation of the upper body and physical strain is distributed to various muscle groups of the whole body in a versatile , balanced and appropriate way;
• This process significantly intensifies the standard effect of walking;Nordic Walking is a safe, natural, dynamic and efficient form of exercise that trains the body in a holistic, symmetric and balanced way, helping individuals to  achieve general physical and mental well-being.

As Stafford prepares to welcome new personnel to RAF/MoD Stafford, an inspiring exhibition will go on display in the Guildhall Shopping Centre which records the human story connected to the past and present of the MoD.  

The main aim is that through this work the rich cultural and historical significance of the base is acknowledged and celebrated.

A thought provoking exhibition of photographs donated to the project, enable visitors to understand why many of the veterans have settled in Stafford and find out what the serving personnel like about the area, what it has to offer and how much they appreciate the welcome given to them by the wider community.

The aim is that the people of Stafford not only increase their already evident sense of pride in MoD Stafford but also in themselves; in how they have supported and welcomed the Armed Forces Personnel over the years and how much this has been appreciated.

For this project, funded by the Armed Forces Community Covenant, twenty veterans and current serving personnel of MoD, formally RAF Stafford, were interviewed about their time at the base.

National Armed Forces Day will be marked by photographic exhibitions hosted by shops in Mill Street, Stafford, from 22^nd June to 3^rd July and pieces of work produced by year 6 children, aged 10 to 11 years old from primary schools local to the base and inspired by the stories and photographs will also be on display in One Staffordshire Place.

The exhibition will then move to the Guildhall between 13th July and 26^th August before it returns to the Stafford base for the MoD Open Day on 29^th August.

Year 9 students from Weston Road Academy have actively supported this project by producing a bespoke information handout on the exhibition and a leaflet on the project during their IT lessons.

The schools involved in the project are St Andrews in Weston, St John’s, St Patricks and Weston Road Academy in Stafford.

Acknowledgements

None of this work would have been possible without the generous support of The Royal British Legion, Sandon Road Baptist Church, MoD Stafford and Tactical Supply Wing, Weston Road Academy, Staffordshire Museum Service, many of the shops in Mill Street Stafford and the interviewees; Karl Jones, Chris Shipton, Matthew Duff, Emma Hemmings, Jo Tomsett, Russ Heynes, SSgt Subaraj, Alan Preece, Victor Ingledew, Morris Roden, Mr Leslie Broomfreild, Ray Bassett, Jim Morton, Bill Knight, Jack Kennedy, John Pink, David Thompson, Darren Easton, Les Bouts and Eric Gregory. 

The Guildhall Shopping Centre and Stafford College students have joined forces to celebrate Adult Learners Week with a major new event.

Stafford’s largest retail destination will be opening at night for the only time this year on Thursday 18^th June to help young people host a fashion extravaganza, featuring students’ designs with fashion shows on the malls, and art and media displays in 6 of the Centre’s empty units.

Graphics design students will create flyers, posters and invitations for the event, while the catering department will produce refreshments for the 1000 expected guests. A team of carpenters, decorators, electricians and students have been working for a full 3 weeks to transform the empty shop units into stylish art galleries and for the special launch event a catwalk will be positioned on the shopping malls for fashion shows hosted by Year 2 and Year 3 Fashion and Design students.

There will be live music, dance and performance to keep everyone entertained, and at least 15 of the Centre’s retailers, including Top Shop, Poundland, Carbon and Kismet Rose, will open late to support the event.

Parking will be free after 5.30pm and the car park will stay open late until 9.30pm.

DTZ’s Senior Management Surveyor Steve Moran said: “We jumped at the chance to work with Stafford College on this as it gives us an opportunity to help young people and offers the community a unique opportunity to see the talented work produced by our local students.

“Putting together an event on this scale will be a great experience for everyone involved, but particularly for the students who will be able to use it to develop their skills and portfolios.”

The fashion shows will take place on 18^th June, between 6pm and 8.00pm, and repeated during the day on Saturday 20^th. The exhibitions in the empty units will run for the whole of Adult Learners Week (18^th-24^th June).

While the event is by invitation, the Centre will still be open for people to pass through.

1.     

Notes to editors

1.     Adult Learners Week is a national celebration of lifelong learning, which is now in its 24^th year. It’s the biggest event of its kind in England and has spawned many similar celebrations around the world.

GUILDHALL SHOPPING CENTRE

#STYLEHUNTERS “What’s Your Style?”

FRIDAY 29^TH MAY & SATURDAY 30^TH MAY AND SUNDAY 31^ST MAY

Move over Gok Wan, the Guildhall Shopping Centre's style experts will be offering free fashion tips and advice at the exclusive #Stylehunters “What’s Your Style?" event on Friday 29th May,  Saturday 30^th May and Sunday 31^st May.

Meet the style gurus and get inspirational advice on colour, make-up, hair and style that will be tailor-made for each customer. If you feel indecisive, nervous or reluctant to shop and unsure as to what style and colours suit you, then this opportunity to speak to experts is just what you need.

Each consultation will leave the shopper with a personalised plan of their colour or style palette and there will be the opportunity to have a mini make-up makeover to demonstrate how important it can be to choose colours and styles that suit an individual's skin tone and body shape.

Working with the major stores in the Guildhall including TopShop, River Island, Wallis, Roman, Store Twenty One and Evans, the experts will explain how to select outfits that flatter and how to accessorize a look to take it from daywear to glitzy nightwear, as well as incorporating style and comfort.

Why not share your style tips to be in with a chance of winning great prizes.  Simply post your favourite hints and suggestions on the special mannequins and the best ones will appear on the Guildhall’s website.  The contributors of the winning tips will receive a share of £200 in shopping vouchers.   Or if you’re spotted as somebody with outstanding style, you could be chosen as a Guildhall Style-Star and receive a free goody bag.

Enter the Mannequin Challenge!  Mums, dads and children can join in the fun to see if they can stylishly dress a mannequin in under 3 minutes!  The winners will be chosen by a public vote from all the pictures posted on the Guildhall’s website.

107.3 Stafford FM will be supporting us with live radio roadshows, hosted by Breakfast presenter, Stu Haycock. There will be plenty of chances to win spot-prizes in our fun competitions.  There will be music and giveaways throughout the event including free 12 month subscriptions to Staffordshire Living magazine.

Staffordshire Living magazine are proud to be an official media partner for the event.  As the Midland’s leading independent lifestyle magazine with over 10 years’ in the industry, they have concentrated their attentions on fashion.  This makes Staffordshire Living and the Guildhall a natural pairing for our joint emphasis on style in Staffordshire.

The #Stylehunters partnership is the brainchild of “Only on the High Street” - style consultants who specialise in organising events for shopping centres and high street retailers.

Director Laraine Robathan-Field said: “Traditional retailing continues to face stiff competition from the growth of online shopping, so it is imperative for retailers to be innovative and think creatively to survive and compete.

“The key is to provide the customer with an experience they can’t get online.

“#Stylehunters “What’s Your Style?” will do just that – it will help the Guildhall engage with customers and encourage them to visit and shop at the Centre by providing them with a fun and exciting experience.”

Steve Moran, Management Surveyor at DTZ who manage the Guildhall Shopping Centre said “It can be challenging to create events that will appeal to a wide range of customers but #Stylehunters “What’s Your Style?” ticks all the boxes.  It is suitable for all ages and abilities, will offer terrific prizes and encourage interaction between our customers and our stores”. 

This popular event is returning to the Guildhall on Saturday 2nd May 2015 for its sixth consecutive year.  There will be lots of FREE health and life-style advice as well as FREE blood pressure and pulse checks, FREE blood sugar tests and confidential advice about a healthy diet and life-style choices. 

Expert advice will be available from nurses and healthcare professionals from NHS hospitals, Community First Responders, Ambulance Service and colleagues from the Stroke Association.