Fri. Dec 6th, 2024

Braintree Village 25 Years Outlet Shopping Excellence

Braintree

Braintree Celebrations Begin with Exclusive Ice-Skating

Friday 15th November, the Village rewards its loyal customers with exclusive events. Members of the shopping centre’s PLUS+ rewards club can enjoy free ice-skating sessions to launch the season’s ice rink, returning for a second year. Sessions at 5-6pm and 6-7pm will be offered to PLUS+ members on a first-come, first-served basis. Members can book tickets Braintree Village

Weekend Festivities: Braintree Free Entertainment and Prize Giveaways

Celebration continues on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November with a packed schedule of free entertainment. Look out for 90s dancers, live sketches from the upcoming production of Dick Whittington by The Institute Braintree, and music from a live DJ spinning 90s classics. The Village team giveaways worth over £5,000 and a “crack the code” competition for those up for a challenge.

New Attractions and Stores Join the Lineup

In its 25th anniversary year, Braintree Village added two family-friendly attractions: an open-air cinema during the summer and the Big Kid Circus in spring. Several popular brands, including Rituals, Columbia, and New Era, joined the centre. These added appeal for shoppers of all ages. Food enthusiasts visit Thick or Thin Piadina for authentic Italian street food.

Personal Styling Lounge and Exclusive Perks

Adding to the unique shopping experience, Braintree Village introduced a personal styling service with Carlene Noel. This includes perks like premium parking, access to the Personal Styling Lounge, and hands-free shopping with Dropit. Guests also enjoy an additional 10% off at select brands during their styling session.

A Journey of Growth and Community Spirit

Reflecting on the centre’s growth, Centre Director Josef O’Sullivan shared, “This is a landmark date for Braintree Village. From its early days, it has become a beloved shopping destination in the East of England. Many of our staff have worked here for 25 years, showing dedication and passion.”

Long-standing employees echo these sentiments. Samantha McKenzie-Carter, who began as a Store Manager at Boxfresh, said, “Braintree Village has transformed from a quick shopping stop into a destination where people can spend the whole day.” Another team member, Diane Skingsley, remembered the excitement when the centre first opened in 1999, adding, “Freeport brought jobs and excitement to Braintree. We’d never seen anything like it in the southeast.”

As they look towards the future, plans for new brands and experiences are already underway for 2025.

For more details on the 25th anniversary events, visit Braintree Village.

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By Fergus McCarthy

Fergus McCarthy is a seasoned publishing professional with over three decades of experience in the media industry. In 1993, he co-founded Parents News, a pioneering publication aimed at providing busy parents in Southwest London with essential information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly activities. Under his leadership, Parents News quickly expanded its reach from 60,000 to 192,000 monthly printed copies, establishing additional branches in Kent, South London, Northern Ireland, and Cornwall. In 1997, recognizing the potential of digital media, Fergus helped launch Parents News UK Online, which carried digital editions of the printed publication and offered a broader range of national information. The website's popularity soared, attracting up to 700 daily hits at its peak. Although Parents News transitioned to an online-only platform in 2017, Fergus continues to play a vital role as Publisher and Advertising Manager, focusing on providing value to businesses through effective advertorials.

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