Over the weekend, the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Sardul Marwa MBE JP, attended the 25th anniversary celebrations of Touchwood Shopping Centre.
First opened on 5 September 2001 on the site of the former Civic Hall car park, Touchwood Shopping Centre has grown into one of the region’s best-known destinations for shopping, dining and leisure.
Many people will also remember when Queen Elizabeth II visited the shopping centre on 2 July 2002. The Queen toured the complex and unveiled a commemorative plaque, which can still be seen in the Golden Jubilee Gardens today.
Designed by renowned master planner Eric Kuhne and his firm CivicArts, the centre has played an important role in the continued success and development of Solihull town centre over the past 25 years.
To mark the milestone anniversary, residents and visitors enjoyed a range of activities. These included the opportunity to create limited-edition lino print artwork with local artist Cris Wong, browse stalls hosted by local businesses and meet with organisations from across the region.
The Mayor joined shoppers, businesses and community representatives in celebrating the centre's contribution to the borough and the role it has played in attracting visitors to Solihull.
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Sardul Marwa MBE JP, said:
“It was a pleasure to join the celebrations marking 25 years of Touchwood. Over the last quarter of a century, it has become an important part of Solihull town centre, bringing people together to shop, dine, socialise and enjoy everything our borough has to offer.
“As we look to the future, it is exciting to see the continued investment being made in our town centre, including the Holbeche Place development, creating new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors, helping to ensure Solihull remains a vibrant and welcoming destination for years to come.
“This anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on Touchwood’s contribution to Solihull’s success and to recognise everyone who has helped make it such a valued destination for residents and visitors alike. I would like to congratulate the Touchwood team on this significant milestone and wish them every success for the future.”
The anniversary celebrations highlighted not only the success of Touchwood Shopping Centre over the last 25 years, but also the continued confidence in Solihull town centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest.
If you’d like to find out more about upcoming events and offers in Touchwood, visit www.touchwoodsolihull.co.uk.