Media Release: Coopers Square Butterfly Garden Unveiled At Conkers

Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire – Wednesday 26 August, 2009; A brand new Butterfly Garden funded by Coopers Square shopping centre was recently unveiled at the Conkers Visitors Centre to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, which set up the creation of National Parks back in 1949.

Butterfly numbers nationwide are in decline and it is hoped that the special new area at the Conkers Visitors Centre, Waterside, will not only help to conserve populations locally but educate and motivate visitors to attract wildlife to their own gardens. Coopers Square is a long term supporter of Conkers and the National Forest. The Butterfly Garden is the latest initiative supported by the shopping centre following the creation of the Coopers Square Wood over two years ago - an area which was funded solely through the Introduction to Recycling campaign. “It’s great to see the Butterfly Garden almost completed,” said Dave Chadfield, Coopers Square Centre Manager. “It really brings home the importance of looking after our local environment and precious countryside such as the National Forest. We are so lucky to live in such a wonderful part of the country and Conkers do a fantastic job of not only conserving the area but educating visitors so our next generation will continue to nurture the National Forest. “Coopers Square is committed to conserving and improving our local environment. This new area is just the latest stage of our long term commitment and collaboration with Conkers. There is so much for visitors young and old to learn here and I hope the new Butterfly Garden will motivate lots of people to get out, enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors, and encourage children to think about how they can attract wildlife into their own gardens.” Conkers Head Ranger, Gerry O’Brien, said: “The butterfly, herb and sensory gardens here at Conkers provide a vital sanctuary for local wildlife. It’s not just butterfly populations that are in national decline, but other important pollinators such as bees as well. These species perform a vital job in our environment so wildlife management is an integral part of our work here at Conkers. It’s great to continue our valued joint working with Coopers Square with the creation of this new area which will also really help the Conkers education programmes.” Photography – please click on the thumbnail link at the bottom of this release to download the image. -Ends- Notes to Editors In 1999, the Coopers Square shopping centre was acquired by Grosvenor – the leading international property development, investment and management group – for its Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fund. The centre contains over 70 stores, more than 1000 adjacent parking spaces, and covers an area of 35,750 square metres. The Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fund was established in 1998. It is a partnership created to invest in high quality, dominant shopping centres around the UK. The Fund is managed by Grosvenor from its office in London, combining the expertise of the company’s fund and asset managers. The Fund currently owns Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole; Coopers Square, Burton upon Trent; Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness; and Freshney Place Shopping Centre, Grimsby. For further information please contact the Coopers Square Press Office: Emma Spearing, Hazel PR Tel: +44 (0)1202 862411 Mobile: +44 (0)7736 341828 Email: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com

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