Ribbon cut new look Churchstoke centre
The ribbon has been cut on a town's new-look shopping centre after a £780,000 overhaul.
The overhauled Churchstoke Shopping Centre is now open for business after a ceremony involving a parrot, young scouts, charity supporters – and the former boss of the supermarket, from before it was sold to Midcounties Co-operative.
The group took over the majority of Harry Tuffins outlets in 2012, and transformation of the Churchstoke complex, which also hosts a Post Office and M&Co store, follows similar overhauls in Ludlow and Holywell, as well as a complete replacement of the store at Cleobury Mortimer, in recent years.
Roy Delves, the former owner of Harry Tuffins, cut the ribbon, with youngsters from the Montgomery beaver scout group and representatives from Hope House Children’s Hospices among others.
One of the shopping centre’s most famous residents, Sam the parrot, also had extra cause to celebrate the occasion, as the proud owner of a brand-new cage.
Vincent Sage, store manager, said: “This event was a fun way to welcome the community to our new-look shopping centre. It was particularly touching to see representatives from our charity partner Hope House Children’s Hospices, whose amazing work provides care and support for local life-limited children.
“All of us at the centre are looking forward to welcoming local shoppers and showing off the impressive range of produce we offer from our region’s farmers and producers, as well as our Irresistible range, all helping to provide an extensive range of services for the community all under one roof.”
Hope House Children’s Hospices has been named as The Midcounties Co-operative’s official charity partner for the Shrewsbury area.
The centre also hosts The Plant Centre, butcher Jamie Wards and Archie-Lilys Café.
