Media Release: Coopers Square Closer To Finding Local VIPs To Celebrate 40th Anniversary

Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire – Thursday, March 18, 2010; Thanks to local media in Burton and Derbyshire, Coopers Square is one step closer to finding three once local children, who have featured in the history of the shopping centre, to share in the Coopers Square 40th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, March 24.

The Burton Mail jumped aboard the Coopers Square appeal to help track down Janet Brammer, Charles Wolfe and Iain Kelly. The Burton Mail’s article of February 25 prompted wider local media interest and Centre Manager Dave Chadfield conducted various interviews about the 40th anniversary quest. Just a few weeks later, with particular thanks to the Burton Mail and BBC Radio Derby, Coopers Square now has the contact details for each of the children they were trying to reach. “It’s been quite an eventful few weeks,” commented Coopers Square Centre Manager Dave Chadfield. “We are really grateful to the Burton Mail for helping us get the ball rolling in finding Janet, Charles and Iain. Just that one article led to interest from Touch FM and BBC Radio Derby, to name a few. “This is a very special occasion for Coopers Square and of course the entire local community who have supported the shopping centre throughout the years. That’s why it was so kind that friends and family of the three people we were trying to contact were quick to get in touch. I am pleased to say that correspondence is well under way to at least invite our three VIPS to join in the 40th anniversary celebrations next week.” Coopers Square was officially opened on March 24, 1970, by HRH Princess Alexandra. Getting a first-class view of the proceedings was Janet Brammer, daughter of Burton’s Deputy Town Clerk, who welcomed Princess Alexandra with a bouquet of flowers. Fast forward nearly 25 years and two Burton boys helped to mark another significant point in the annals of Coopers Square by creating a time capsule bearing examples of the town’s proud heritage. Charles Wolfe, from Swadlincote, and Iain Kelly from Tutbury at the time, won a competition to decide what to place in the time capsule, which was created to mark the move of the Cooper bronze from the High Street to the newly roofed Coopers Square shopping centre. Dave Chadfield continues; “As a fulltime teacher, Janet Brammer is unfortunately unable to make the 40th anniversary celebrations on March 24. We do, however, look forward to welcoming her father, Neville Brammer – Burton Town Clerk in 1970 who went on to become the Chief Executive of the Council, who will be attending the special day. “With contact details recently received to reach both Charles and Iain as well, we are hopeful that we will hear from them in time to invite them to either join or be represented as we mark the 40th anniversary of Coopers Square.” Local dignitaries, VIPs and media representatives will attend the official cake presentation and launch of the special 40th anniversary exhibition charting the history of Coopers Square, at 11am on Wednesday, March 24. A series of celebrations and family fun activities are also planned throughout the anniversary week, including face painting, cake decorating and balloon modelling, helping visitors of all ages to join the party atmosphere in the Main Square on Saturday, March 27. -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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