Good Friday was very special at Wellington Square as the two most popular characters from children's TV called in to spend some time with shoppers visiting Wellington Square.

Hundreds of parents with young children queued for their opportunity to have a photo with their favourites and many shopped at the centre's many stores.

Wellington Square management has opened its malls to the Watoto Choir from Uganda, which is made up from children orphaned by war or disease, who are travelling the world to raise awareness of their plight, and that of some 2 million similar children left parentless in Uganda.

The 35 children aged 11-18 years will be at the centre on Easter Saturday 3^rd April at 11.30 am – 12.30pm. Accompanied by adult choir leaders from Watoto Church. Watoto’s performances are a soulful blend of African rhythm, contemporary gospel and ethnic dance. Through their music the choir share their unique stories and express their new found hope. The children’s energy and sincerity continue to inspire audiences all around the world.

Management at Wellington Square, the leading shopping centre in Stockton town centre, has agreed a deal with local charity Eastern Ravens Trust to take one of the vacant units in the centre. It will be opening just after Easter and provide information and a drop-in point for children, young people and families in the Stockton area.

Founded in 1961, Eastern Ravens Trust is a registered children’s charity, run by Trust Manager Tracey Hamilton. The Trust works with children, young people and families in the community. It offers support to young carers from age 8 and over, who may be providing care and support to family members with mental health issues, physical disabilities and illness or addiction. As many young carers can become isolated, efforts are made to link them into the community, and it is to this end that the shop unit will be so useful.

Wellington Square’s recent announcements of new retailers has been strengthened by the addition of another national retailer to join the ShopStart winner, to fill two more units at the centre. Fashion retailer Internacionale has now opened in the shopping centre.

Centre Manager Rob Gilderlseeve commented on the successful letting, “We have worked hard in a difficult economic climate to ensure continued interest in Wellington Square. We are increasing the choice and variety of shops to encourage greater footfall as the centre becomes an even more attractive destination for discerning shoppers”.  

Jade wins £60,000 retail unit

Jade Stephenson, aged 21 from Wynyard, has beaten off stiff competition in the final of Wellington Square’s ShopStart promotion, which had Duncan Bannatyne as one of the judges. She plans to open a designer and fashion re-sale business before Christmas in Stockton’s leading shopping centre. The shop will allow shoppers to sell on items they have only worn once or twice and which would then just stay in their wardrobe.

Duncan Bannatyne said, “We definitely picked the right business idea that had the most depth and made sense in the current economic climate. I am looking forward to seeing how Jade develops the business over the coming years”.

Jade said of her win, “I’m amazed and delighted to have this opportunity. Wellington Square is a great location for my new business, which I would like to call Wardrobe, and I can’t wait to get started. I need to build up a stock of great fashion items for the launch.

Vervez opens with verve

A brand new store has opened at Wellington Square, in a move, which flies in the face of the credit crunch and the retail downturn.

New retailer Vervez believes that there will always be a market for its products, a large part of which are clothes for babies, from premature and newborn babies to older children. Unique to the store are a range of leather shoes and French silk shoes for babies and toddlers, which are manufactured locally. Also part of the range are cribs, cots and walkers, featuring the Disney-licensed Winnie the Pooh, Mickey and Minnie characters.

Christening and confirmation gowns are also available, as are a wider range of clothing, shoes and accessories for ladies and older children.