STUDENTS were busy bagging bargains at Warrington’s Golden Square Shopping Centre while top class tunes were provided by an internationally renowned DJ.
Dave Whittle has played sets in Ibiza, mixed tracks with Rudimental and filled the dance floors of Ayia Napa but the 31-year-old also works on the maintenance team at the Warrington shopping hub.
So when a chance to show off his sounds came along he was only too happy to provide the entertainment for an exclusive student discount night involving 35 stores.
Dave, 31, said: “I’ve worked all over the place as a DJ but I’ve got two kids now and I need a full time job really. I trained as a joiner after school and I’ve been here for four years now.
“The night was really good fun, it made a refreshing change to offer a different kind of service.”
Dave has been a big hit on the club scene for many years and still draws in the crowds when he has a spot at Warrington night spots.
The highlight of his musical career came when he played to a packed club of 7,000 dancers in Cologne and he has since been mixing with top names Rudimental, K Klass and the well-known magician Dynamo.
Dave said: “Music has always been a big thing for me. I was always collecting vinyl and once I left school that hobby became my passion.”
That passion was obvious to shoppers who were loving the tunes as much as the bargains, as Priestley College student Callum Moore, from Woolston, explained.
“The music makes it more like a cool night out than just a trip to the shops. The discounts were pretty good too,” said the 16-year-old.
Cherri Wright, aged 39, brought her daughter along to the event and said: “It’s really good and a lot busier than it would normally be. We’ve managed to get some great discounts – up to 40 per cent off in some shops.”
Her 16-year-old daughter Kaitlyn added: “I think finding out there was a DJ on brought more people down. He’s quite well known from the pubs and clubs around here.”
Centre director Ian Cox said: “We have a lot of great high street names to draw in a young crowd and we know lots of local students enjoy shopping with us.
“Knowing that student budgets can be tight, we wanted to create a special discount night just for them shortly after their new college or university year has started.
“The atmosphere was great thanks to Dave’s magic on the decks and I think our young, trendy shoppers enjoyed kitting themselves out in the latest fashions at special prices just for them.”
Eve Billington, aged 16 and from Padgate, said: “I think it’s really good. I’ve bought a top and a skirt at really good prices.
The Priestly College student added: “Everyone can hear the music, it’s making it a great atmosphere and everyone looks like they’re enjoying themselves.”
