News Achive
High Chelmer attract over 20,000 visitors to this website every week and have a large database that is used to help promote events and offers. We also produce our very own seasonal magazine that is distributed to homes in the local area, promoting gift ideas, services and competitions.
Latest News
Sweet Treats for Shoppers
On Friday 13th January, Sweets & Sarnies opened its doors at High Chelmer.
The store was officially opened by the Mayor of Chelmsford and was also attended by the Mayoress, Catherine Van Dok from Raynor Foods, Mick McDonagh (High Chelmer's Centre Manager) and owner Sarah Vinton-Smith.
There were platters of sandwiches, cakes and drinks for customers to sample and the first 100 customers got their very own goody bag!
What's more, the store also hosted a charity raffle for a hamper containing American Candy and Soda worth £50! All funds from the raffle were donated to the Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford.
Changing Chelmsford
Changing Chelmsford describes a process of engagement with the broa
der community about what is important to them. It started with a simple promise: how do you make Chelmsford a more successful place? The initiative began in early 2010 as a collaboration between the RSA, The Academy of Urbanism, Essex County Council and Chelmsford Borough Council. A growing number of individuals and organisations have subsequently become involved.
One of the emerging focus areas has been to engage youth in discovering spaces of potential in Chelmsford via an initiative called Young Urban Explorers. Some of their ideas are on display at High Chelmer. Another focus is Heritage Triangle: these are demarcated by Shire Hall, the Anne Knight Building and the former Marconi factory site.
Best Christmas on Record!
High Chelmer are pleased to report the best Ch
ristmas footfall figures on record! High Chelmer's Centre Manager, Mick McDonagh, said: "We've had an exceptional Christmas - the best ever recorded - and 10.7% up on 2010. Retailers were concerned that Christmas would pass us by but immediately after the car park reopened on 30th November, things began to look up." The car park had been shut since April for a £2million safety overhaul. 250,000 shoppers came through High Chelmer's doors during the Christmas week and on the Friday before Christmas Eve, 7,000 people an hour were clocked on the monitors!
On Saturday 27th November, shoppers at High Chelmer enjoyed a cold-fashioned Christmas during our Happy Feet Festive Spectacular!
Horror-tastic Craft Day!
Our horror-tastic craft day on Saturday 30th October gave little devils the chance to make some un-boo-lievable creations just in time for the spookiest day of the year! From demonic decorations to creepy costumes there was a monster selection of crafts to choose from, all helping to put the frighteners on friends and family! Jack Skellington, the patron spirit of Halloween from 'The Nightmare Before Christmas', also provided plenty of tricks and treats for shoppers on the day and our fiendish face painters transformed young and old into marvellous monsters and gory ghouls!
Click here to see pictures from the event.
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Chelmsford Market Re-opens!
Following recent development works at the multi-storey car park next to High Chelmer, we are pleased to announce that Chelmsford Market and the multi-storey car park are now re-open for business! The re-opening of the market was marked by a day of events, entertainment and enjoyment in Market Square on Saturday 3rd September. Chelmsford's Mayor announced the market 'open for business' during a ribbon cutting ceremony and children's rides, a Punch & Judy show and face painters were all on hand to mark the reopening.
For more information about further development works click here for details.
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Further Developments
Work has started on the demolition, reconstruction and extension of various units at High Chelmer. The changes have resulted in a new 1,200sq ft flagship store for JJB and a 61,000sq ft anchor store in Central Square for Primark. There will also be the creation of a cafe/restaurant on the corner of Market Square near Bell Meadow.
For more details regarding this work and to view our redevelopment web cam click here.
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Aladdin Adventure!
On Saturday 1st October, in association with Essex Streetdiversions, shoppers came along to High Chelmer's Central Square to enjoy an Arabian adventure of myth, mystery and magic!
Our very own spellbinding storyteller regaled the enchanting tale of Aladdin to children, taking them on a mesmerising journey through medieval cities in search of a magic lamp.
There was also the chance to meet Ruby Murray and Baba Ganush who travelled to the centre from exotic shores on their magical flying carpets and fairytale face painters were also on hand to transform little ones into mystical marvels and captivating characters!
To see all the pictures from the event, click here.
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RAFA Presentation
On Saturday 17th September Richard Cowan of Quest Motor Group, Braintree and Maldon, handed over a cheque for £350 to the President of the Chelmsford Branch of the Royal Air Forces Assocaition, Squadron Leader (Retd) Ralph Tyrell MBE, as a donation to the Wings Charity Appeal at High Chelmer. The presentation was made at the end of the week's display at the centre, commemorating the Battle of Britain in 1940 and the 70th anniversary of the iconic Lancaster Bomber.
In addition, £1,374 was donated by High Chelmer Shopping Centre's shoppers and staff to the charity.
Picture depicts (left to right): Artist Tony Carey (RAFA member whose work can be seen in the background), Richard Cowan presenting the cheque to Ralph Tyrell MBE, watched by Mick McDonagh - High Chelmer's Centre Manager and Cyril Bridge RAFA (Chelsmford) Vice President; supported by Air Cadets from 276 Squadron (Chelmsford). Both the RAFA President and Vice President served in the Royal Air Force during World War 2 as their medals indicate.
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Katie Price Visits the Centre
On Saturday 10th September Katie Price came to High Chelmer, in conjunction with WH Smith, to sign copies of her newly launched Bookazine 'Katie'! The publication contains fashion and beauty tips, celebrity gossip and exclusive photos and information about Katie herself. Features include 'my tattoos and what they mean', 'inside my bathroom cabinet' and 'blinging your wardrobe Katie-style'! Queues tailed out of the centre as shoppers eagerly waited to meet the star and get their magazines and books signed.
Click here to see pictures from the event.
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Re-opening of JJB with Sir Matthew Pinsent!
JJB Sports, Britain's favourite sports retailer, re-opened the first of its new look stores in High Chelmer on Saturday 10th September.
The Chief Executive of JJB Sports, Keith Jones, and Olympic and World Rowing Champion, Sir Matthew Pinsent, officially opened the store's doors at 11am on Saturday.
Click here to see pictures from the event.
Click here to see events happening at High Chelmer associated with JJB Sports.
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Broomfield Football Club Sponsorship
High Chelmer are delighted to sponsor Broomfield Blaze Under 9 Football Team! The team were presented with their sponsored football kit on Sunday 11th September by Karen Howard from High Chelmer.
The manager of Broomfield Blaze Under 9 is Stuart Paterson and his assistant managers are Neil Monsell and Lee Springthorpe.
The team includes:
Team Captain Aaron Springthorpe (in the foreground opposite)
Thomas Harris
Jamie MacSween
Oliver Hills
Scott Thomas
Tom Monsell
Jake Paterson
Oliver Ingrouille
Jake Dixon
Ryan Elsted
Omar Sarhan
High Chelmer is delighted to support the local community and is proud to be associated with Broomfield Blaze Under 9 Football Team.
We look forward to following the team's progress over the next season and will be cheering from the sidelines at each game!
Visit the team's website at: http://www.broomfieldfc.co.uk/club/111918/Home
Click here to see more information about the team and to read match reports.
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Molly Surfs to Success
During High Chelmer's Surf's Up event on Saturday 27th August, the centre offered shoppers the chance to ride some waves and avoid a wipeout on a surfing simulator! The centre was inundated with young and old all keen to make a splash, show some fancy footwork and stay on the longest in order to win a prize.
Molly Beer from Chelmsford was the lucky winner and chose to have a £20 Giftcard from HMV as her prize. She was presented with her Giftcard by Carley Beck (High Chelmer's Deputy Centre Manager). Molly was also joined by her parents Marc and Natalie, her sister Fern and her friends Carmel and Kasey.
Molly is pictured wearing a purple hat!
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Shoppers Make Waves!
On Saturday 27th August, High Chelmer offered some sun, sea and sand to shoppers during their Surf's Up event! A surfing simulator gave young and old the chance to make waves, wax lyrical and avoid a wipeout, with the best surfer winning a prize! And the Caribbean steal band transported onlookers to a tropical paradise with their mellow melodies of calypso, jazz and reggae.
Click here to see pictures from the event.
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Alison's Picture Perfect Win!
Throughout June and July High Chelmer's Summer Magazine gave shoppers the opportunity to win a 32" 3D Sony Bravia TV! The centre was inundated with competition entries, all keen to put themselves in the picture with this amazing state of the art prize! Alison Dover from Chelmsford was selected as the lucky winner at the beginning of August and was presented with her prize by Mick McDonagh (High Chelmer's Centre Manager) and Paul Thorne (Sony Centre Manager). Alison said: "I'm shocked and delighted! I've never won anything in my life!"
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Catisfaction for Local Charity!
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Changing Chelmsford Initiative
Community engagement is helping to shape the future of Chelmsford. The Changing Chelmsford initiative, led by the Royal Society of Arts, is a ground breaking initiative bringing together local people, academies and key businesses to consider the most appropriate future for the town - a future that respects the past but which is visionary and address the future. It is a part of various activities to support Chelmsford's bid for city status in 2012.
A series of events, workshops, exhibitions, music festivals to support the initiative are planned over the summer months. For further details visit: www.changingchelmsford.org
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Neil Wins an iPad 2!
During High Chelmer's presence at the Fling Festival in Central Park at the beginning of July, we gave festival goers the opportunity to win an iPad 2. Visitors to High Chelmer's Digi Tent were given demos of the centre's new iPhone App and were then entered into a prize draw to win an iPad 2 on the day.
Neil Fenton from Chelmsford was selected as the lucky winner and was presented with his prize the following week by Carley Taylor-Neilson (Deputy Centre Manager). Neil said: "I can't believe I've won! I can't wait to get to grips with my new iPad 2."
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Festival Goers are in the Picture
As part of High Chelmer's Digi Tent at the Fling Festival, Sony Centre provided people with the chance to experience some 3D vision and gaming. Paul Thorne (Manager of Sony Centre at High Chelmer) said: "After a long night, I can happily say that I think our appearance at the Fling was a great success! All Sony's representatives had a great time, not just interacting with the people there, but the event as a whole. Our set up was ideal with a black tent which gave the ideal environment for the 3D to work well. And the Digi Tent was always very busy!"
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Getting Appy at the Fling!
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Kidding Around!
Click here to see pictures from the event.
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Top of the Pops Prize Winners
Throughout June High Chelmer gave shoppers the chance to make their dad feel top of the pops in our Father's Day competition. James Holmes from Chelmsford was selected and he and his father Nick were presented with their Clarks and New Look vouchers by Carley Taylor-Neilson, High Chelmer's Deputy Centre Manager. James said: "Thank you very much for the vouchers! They are very much appreciated. I'll keep entering High Chelmer's competitions in the hope I win again!"
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