Shopping centre marks 25th birthday (From Harrow Times)

St Ann's Shopping Centre in Harrow marks 25th birthday

4:35pm Monday 24th September 2012 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

Shoppers were handed a cupcake treat on Saturday as a centre celebrated its 25th birthday.

The St Ann’s Centre, in the heart of Harrow town centre, opened in September 1987 and received an official opening from Diana, Princess of Wales, two months later with swarms of people lining the streets to see her.

On Saturday a much more low-key birthday celebration included a visit from the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Nizam Ismail, while staff gave out 250 cupcakes and prizes to shoppers.

Centre manager Jeff Jackson, who cut a cake to mark the milestone, said: “I like to think that St Anns is much more than a shopping centre – we take our role at the heart of the community very seriously and we are continually looking to strengthen links with people who live in and around Harrow.”

Many buildings were demolished to make way for the centre, including Heathfield School for Girls, which moved to Pinner in 1982, and the old Greenhill School – the site of which is now occupied by Marks & Spencer.

Councillor Husain Akhtar, who was with the Mayor at the celebrations, said: “I have seen this shopping centre growing over the years.

“It is not only thriving commercially but is also well known venue for hosting cultural events.”