Member Article

The seaside comes to Kirkby Town Centre for the summer

FAMILIES in Kirkby are invited to enjoy the fun of the seaside at an urban beach and celebrate the summer with a series of events taking place in the Town Centre.

Organised by St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, the programme launched on Tuesday 25 July followed by summer entertainment each Saturday until 2 September.

Rio Carnival dancers and stilt walkers got the programme of entertainment underway and visitors were given the opportunity to play in Kirkby’s giant urban beach.

The urban beach, which will remain at St. Chad’s Parade for the whole summer, will have deck chairs, buckets and spades, other beach games and an inflatable helter-skelter.

Mike Matthews, Town Centre Manager, said: “Last year’s summer events were a huge success. We really wanted to go above and beyond this year and bring the seaside to the Town Centre itself. We’re extremely excited to open Kirkby’s urban beach as it will encourage families with young children to stay longer in the Town Centre and support the local retailers.

“Kirkby’s summer spectacular will also be bringing weekly street theatre performances to the Town Centre. Join us every Saturday between 11am and 3.30pm. Entertainment kicked off this weekend with a fun sports day and a performance from clown group, Extracaganza. Weekends in Kirkby will be just as good as a trip to the seaside!”

What’s in on in Kirkby Town Centre over the summer:

• Saturday 5 August – Dinotopia and Pre Hee Men • Saturday 12 August – The Black Eagles and Granny Turismo • Saturday 19 August – Titan the Robot and Bjorn the Bear • Saturday 26 August – The Gorillas and Musical Ruth • Saturday 2 September – Prince Amir and Nazreddin and The Big Bad Wolf

Following the success of last year’s summer events and Kirkby’s Christmas lights-turn on which attracted an attendance of approximately 6,000, this year’s summer events programme is part of St. Modwen’s ongoing work to revitalise the centre, making it a vibrant place to shop and live.

For more information about Kirkby Town Centre and its programme of summer events visit the Facebook page and the website.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emily Hallinan .