Media Release: See Santa Arrive In Poole

Poole, Dorset – Monday 9 November, 2009; Get into the Christmas spirit on Sunday 15 November and help welcome Santa to Poole in the annual parade that will deliver the merry man to his new Dolphin Shopping Centre grotto until Christmas Eve.

Another fantastic event is planned that usually attracts thousands of local people all flocking to Poole Quay to see Santa arrive courtesy of the RNLI Lifeboat, this year accompanied by star of Sky One’s Gladiators, Atlas, and Fire FM’s Dave Taylor. The festivities will start at 10.15am when the Dolphin Marching Band will keep the crowds entertained before Santa arrives at the Custom House steps to be greeted by the Mayor of Poole, Charles Meachin. The official Town Crier David Squire will lead Santa on his traditional route through the High Street towards the Dolphin Shopping Centre aboard a sleigh driven by his favourite elves. Plenty of entertainment will be on offer with Christmas characters and stilt walkers, song and dance led by Miss Christmas and the Christmas children, plus the Dolphin Marching and Royal British Legion bands. Santa will carry his Christmas cheer to arrive at the Dolphin Shopping Centre and take up residence in his new ice cave grotto around 11.30am. The festivities will continue throughout the day in the Dolphin Shopping Centre with all manner of performances, from stilt walkers to the Turtle Doves and Stagewise children’s groups, while Holly and Ivy the Christmas crackers will also be trying to raise a smile from shoppers. Gladiator Atlas will also conduct a signing session outside Beales from 12pm. For the first time, the event will attract a special visit from two arctic visitors. An incredibly realistic life-size adult male Polar Bear, Bjorn is playful and mischievous but huggable too. A beautiful, fully animated, pod puppet that is sure to fascinate children and adults alike, Bjorn will be appearing alongside his keeper and Arctic Explorer, Ursula, within their ice environment setting at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm. A completely new Christmas decoration and lighting scheme awaits Dolphin Shopping Centre and parade visitors this year. Santa will be housed in his new ice cave grotto with a five-metre high Christmas tree, featuring a fully animated elf display, surrounded by traditional festive features. Giant five-metre, illuminated, holly rings and decorations complemented by twinkling fairy lights will deck the main halls among berry cluster suspensions, six-metre drop light chain curtains and spiral twist light nets. Stephanie Lacey, Dolphin Shopping Centre Manager, commented: “The annual Santa Parade has become an important fixture on Poole’s calendar and this year’s event promises to be a great day for all the family. The shopping centre is delighted to host this event and to be able to offer Santa a new grotto this season, surrounded by a beautiful decoration scheme. We have some fantastic entertainment on offer, from stilt walkers and local children’s groups performing, to the magnificent Bjorn the Polar Bear, ensuring a fantastic community event for visitors of all ages.” -Ends- Photography – please click on the thumbnails below to download hi-res images. Notes to Editors In 2003, The Dolphin Shopping Centre was acquired by Grosvenor – the leading international property development, investment and management group – for its Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fund. The centre contains 115 stores and covers an area of over 47,000 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 Dolphin Shopping Centre 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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