The Guildhall Shopping Centre is helping to organise Stafford's
first arts festival.
As part of the Town Centre Partnership, the shopping centre's
Marketing Manager Anne Graham has helped to line up a variety of
different artists to perform at locations around the town from 10am
on September 17th.
Attractions in and around the centre include a group of artists
called Inspiring Art, who will be hosting a number of
demonstrations on the Craberry Street Mall; Musically Gifted, who
produce musically-themed hand-crafted gifts; and Steve Eastwood,
who specialises in figurative sculpture.
Organisers are also providing an opportunity for local
entrepreneur Elena Cobb, of Higgledy Piggledy Jazz, to showcase her
music at the event.
Elena has developed a range of children's books to inspire
youngsters to read and perform music, and will be promoting them,
between 2pm and 3pm, alongside seven professional musicians in
Market Square.
Anne Graham said: "The first Stafford Arts Festival promises to
be a great occasion and will make Stafford a hive of activity on
the day.
"Not only do we have lots going on in Market Square, we will
also have a choir performing at Stafford Railway Station, a
landscape artist workshop at the Ancient High House, and cup cake
decorating workshops on Craberry Street.
"Visitors will be able to follow a trail around the town to
ensure they take everything in."
Richard Ralph is Senior Surveyor at DTZ, the managing agents for
the Guildhall Shopping Centre.
He said: "As the major shopping centre in Stafford, we are
always keen to encourage participation in activities which keep the
town vibrant and encourage new and returning shoppers to the town
centre.
"The Arts Festival is a new initiative for Stafford and we hope
it will develop year on year and become another major feature of
the events calendar."
The Guildhall Shopping Centre was opened in June 1991 by HRH
Princess Anne, and has since attracted over 30million visitors and
created more than 1500 jobs. Current tenants include JJB Sports,
HMV and Carphone Warehouse.