In Spring this year the Centre was recognised in the British Council of Shopping Centre’s annual Purple Apple Awards for its annual Halloween Trick or Treat event.

The Centre’s Manager, Kevin Smith scooped a Purple Apple Pip Award for the event which encourages youngsters to Trick or Treat stores at the shopping centre rather than taking to the streets at night.

“All of the Horsefair’s events are designed with the local community in mind,” said Kevin Smith. “The Halloween event in particular offers a safe haven for children and gives parents peace of mind without youngsters missing out on the fun of Halloween.”

The Centre, which was up against schemes based in larger towns and cities, performed highly on the following factors, safety – providing a children with an alternative to knocking on doors at night – delivering a value-for-money event, its support from the local police force and feedback from parents and children on the day, all added emphasis to the entry.

As part of the prize for the award, Kevin will be heading to the ICSC European Marketing Conference in Istanbul in April 2011.

Soon after the success of the Centre’s Purple Apple entry, the Horsefair welcomed a new costume jewellery store, Aura, making the Centre fully let, with all 27 units now occupied.

“The new store opening has been a great boost to the Centre, not only filling all vacant units but creating more jobs for local people,” added Kevin.

In the autumn of 2010, the Centre introduced a new lighting scheme within its car park, which will help to drastically reduce the overall levels of energy usage whilst creating a brighter and safer environment for its shoppers.

“As a Centre we are always looking at different ways to reduce energy consumption and the new lighting will certainly make the Centre a lot more energy efficient. Once 12 months worth of energy data has been collected I’m keen to enter the lighting scheme into the Green Organisation’s Green Apple Awards,” said Kevin.

With an evenful year coming to an end, Kevin said: “2010 has been such a fantastic year for the Centre in so many ways, I am really looking forward to another positive year in 2011.”