Who doesn’t love free cake?
Leicester’s Highcross is marking its 35th birthday this weekend and shoppers are invited to join the party with complimentary tea, coffee and cake, plus a chance to relive some of the centre’s biggest moments.
The city centre shopping destination will celebrate the milestone on Saturday, September 12, looking back on three-and-a-half decades at the heart of Leicester life.
Many locals will still remember the centre’s original incarnation as The Shires, which first opened in 1991 before its headline-grabbing £350 million transformation into Highcross in 2008.
The redeveloped centre made a huge splash when it launched, attracting more than 125,000 visitors on opening day and over a million people within its first two weeks. It brought major brands including John Lewis, Zara, Apple, Hugo Boss and Lacoste to the city, alongside restaurants, a cinema, public spaces and apartments.
But while the shops have changed over the years, some familiar faces have remained. Two members of staff, Mark Tunaley and Richard Howard, have clocked up an incredible 70 years of combined service between them.
Richard, who has worked at the centre for almost 35 years, said Highcross still represents “pride” and remains a welcoming place for the people of Leicester.
Mark, who originally arrived as an electrician installing Christmas decorations at The Shires, said the centre has always been more than a shopping destination.
“It feels like it’s just always been here, right at the heart of the city; a place where people can meet and spend time together,” he said.
Over the years, Highcross has evolved well beyond retail. Recent arrivals including Mango, Space NK, Hollister, Wingstop and Bill’s have joined the mix, while the centre has also hosted community projects, commissioned local artwork and supported charities such as LOROS.
Michelle Menezes, Centre Director at Highcross Leicester, said reaching 35 years was a chance to celebrate the role the centre has played in generations of Leicester life.
“From introducing much-loved brands to hosting heartwarming community initiatives, we remain fully committed to listening, adapting and building an even better experience for our shoppers every single day,” she said.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, shoppers are also being asked to share their own memories of the centre. The best stories could feature on Highcross social media channels as part of the birthday celebrations.
So whether you remember queuing up outside The Shires in the early ’90s, grabbing your first iPhone at the Apple Store, or simply meeting friends for a coffee under the glass roof, this weekend is a chance to raise a slice of cake to one of Leicester’s best-known landmarks.
