Dancers take over Golden Square

HUNDREDS of fashionistas transformed a shopping centre in Warrington into the fashion capital of the UK.
An elite troupe of talented dancers dazzled fashion-conscious shoppers at Golden Square with a series of show-stopping routines designed to literally bring the latest seasonal trends out of the stores and into the high street.
All the dances were specially created for the day by international choreographer Glenn Ball, of JK Productions who has worked with superstars Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and Lionel Ritchie.
Among the impromptu audience were Jack Singleton, 12, a pupil of Bridgewater High School, Warrington, and his mum, Jeanette, who were eagerly recording one of the performances on a mobile phone.
Jeanette explained: “Jack’s sister, my daughter Mia, is a dancer. She’s currently away at university but we thought we’d send her the video so she could see for herself what’s been happening here today. It’s a lovely idea to bring the dancers in. It really livens up the shopping centre.”
Also there to watch while out shopping was Karen Foster, of Widnes, who said: “They look fantastic and they’re fabulous entertainment. It’s great to see something new and imaginative like this while we’re out shopping.”
Karen was out shopping with family including her daughter, young dance fan Evie Jessop, aged nine, a pupil of Oakfield Primary School, Widnes.
Evie, who has been taking lessons herself at a local dance school, said she was thrilled to see the top class routines and pick up some ideas from the professionals.
“We’ve been following them round from store to store. They’re just great,” she said.
The dance team performed ‘flash mob’ style routines several times an hour throughout the day, to high intensity upbeat music, while also modelling the latest autumn and winter casual wear lines from Golden Square’s big name fashion stores.
It was part of a bustling programme of activities to welcome in the autumn season. Also included was the chance to have a mini make-over at a ‘beauty pod’ outside Debenhams store, and to take part in a photo-shoot then see the resulting images on a mock-up front cover of the GS Collection magazine.
Ian Cox, Golden Square Shopping Centre Director, said: “We wanted to create a high-energy and engaging event which would literally bring the very latest fashions out of the stores directly to our shoppers.
“With such a great range of fashion names at Golden Square, including Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Primark and H&M, we wanted to put together an event which would showcase the very latest trends and fashions as we move into the new season.”
Sarah Jones who grew up in Warrington but now lives in Cornwall, said the day’s events were a complete surprise for her. She was back in town for a few days visiting her parents, Mary and Norman Burroughs, of Latchford, Warrington.
She said: “It’s wonderful, the centre is so much more exciting these days. I used to work in the local Woolies when I was a teenager, but we had nothing like this going on.
“The music and dancing is brilliant but my favourite has been the beauty pod – it’s been ideal for me to try out different foundations. I’m getting married next year so I’m looking for the perfect one to suit my skin tone on the big day. All this activity has really made it a memorable return visit for me.”
Jessy Cummings, aged five, meanwhile couldn’t wait to have her photo taken at the professional photo booth.
“She’s a real poser,” laughed her mum, Sarah. “As soon as she sees a camera she’s there. She’s also loved all the music and dancing too. It’s keeping people entertained while out and about shopping.”