Sep 29, 2016
Students across the county took over Poole town centre on Monday evening (September 26) as the Dolphin Shopping Centre hosted its annual student night.
Thousands lined up to get into the indoor shopping centre, with queues stretching down the high street and into the bus station.The night aims to welcome students to the area with exclusive discounts, competitions and giveaways.
Many of the biggest high street brands, including New Look, River Island, Animal, Accessorize, Body Shop, Dorothy Perkins and Burtons stayed open after hours and offered students a range of discounts. Other retailers such as Primark and Boots engaged with customers by offering in store competitions, beauty demonstrations and goody bags.
Commenting on the evening, New Look’s deputy manager, Natalie Cotter said: “This is a great event for New Look and we’re pleased to be a part of it. We had a consistent amount of sales throughout the evening.”
For Beales it was the first-time they had introduced a student discount scheme and deputy store manager, Sam Dean said: “Our new student discount has been well received and it’s great that the initiative will remain on-going. Beales is keen to accommodate all generations and it offers the key essentials for students including; homewares, makeup and clothing.”
Al and Maxine from Fire Radio provided entertainment and filled the shopping centre with the latest hits. Plus a selection of free games were also on offer including a giant scalextric, ping pong and air hockey.
John Grinnell, centre manager at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, added: “The response we have received over the past four years has been overwhelming; it’s great to hold an event which supports both students and retailers.”
“With all the students arriving at the start of the new term, it’s the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the shops here at the Dolphin Centre and what the town of Poole has to offer.”
Sep 16, 2016
The Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole is set to host its fourth annual student night, in partnership with Student Shopping UK, on Monday September 26 from 6.30pm to 9pm.
The event has become renowned as the county’s ultimate discount shopping event welcoming thousands of students each year. The Dolphin Shopping Centre will be opening its doors after hours exclusively to students for them to enjoy an evening of offers, promotions, competitions and live music.
Many of the biggest high street brands, including New Look, River Island, Animal, Accessorize, Body Shop, Dorothy Perkins and Burtons, will be offering between 10 and 30 per cent discount. At the event, Beales will be introducing, for the first-time in its 135 year history, a student discount scheme and this will run on a permanent basis.
Other retailers will be offering free giveaways and promotions, with Boots and tReds handing out goody bags to the first 50 students and staff from Specsavers on-hand to offer free sight tests, a free contact lens trial and 50 per cent discount off selected frames.
For students wanting a break from shopping and to indulge in a sweet treat, Starbucks and Druckers will be offering a 10 per cent discount throughout the evening and Subway will be handing out free cookies.
Fire Radio will be providing entertainment on the night and will once again bring along its prize grabber where students can win vouchers from River Island, Wilko and Primark.
There will also be a scalextric racing competition, along with air hockey and ping pong tables.
John Grinnell, centre manager at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, says: “This has become an extremely popular annual event for the centre and we’re delighted to be able to exclusively open our doors to students. With a variety of leading brands participating we are expecting this year to be even bigger and better.”
To attend, students will need to pre-register via www.studentshoppinguk.com.
Sep 7, 2016
Jewellery shop, Ernest Jones, has re-opened in the Dolphin Shopping Centre following a five-week refurbishment.
The retailer has unveiled its new concept store which is being rolled out across the UK and receiving excellent feedback from customers.
The glass fronted shop features new counters to allow for more displays, a consultation area, a dedicated TAG Heuer display, plus the room boasts a state of the art lighting system to ensure that the collection of jewellery and watches are illuminated.
Commenting on the refurbishment, centre manager John Grinnell, said: “The new shop is modern, spacious; appealing to shoppers and most importantly the new design complies with the centre’s long-term sustainability strategy.
“We are working hard to offer our shoppers an attractive tenant mix but also working with our existing retailers to support them with any refurbishments.”
Ernest Jones offers a broad selection of jewellery and watches at exclusive outlet prices. The range comprises everyday contemporary jewellery and classic vintage pieces, including diamond engagement rings and statement-led jewellery.
Aug 4, 2016
Foodies from across Dorset descended to the Dolphin Shopping Centre to sample a host of tasty treats.
The Poole shopping centre’s Taste Festival culminated in a day of fun and food on Saturday (July 30). There were food and drink stalls where local producers could show off their hard work, cookery demonstrations and products to try.
Food lovers enjoyed a number of cookery demonstrations throughout the day where local chefs took to the stage to cook up a storm to highlight their skills.
Bini Ludlow, who runs Sweet Cumin, an authentic Indian cookery school, was showing shoppers how to make a host of delicious Indian dishes, while head chef Pete Murt from Rick Stein’s Sandbanks restaurant, prepared a tasty lobster dish amongst others.
John Grinnell, centre manager said: “Food festivals have gone from strength to strength in recent years and it’s great that we can offer our shoppers the opportunity to experience something different along with supporting local producers.
“The idea of the Taste Festival is about getting people to use and buy local produce from local producers.”
Jul 20, 2016
Family-orientated fun and food will be on offer at the Dolphin Shopping Centre’s Taste Festival on Saturday July 30.
Over 15 producers of food and drink will descend on Poole for a second year offering a variety of different cuisines, with new names including Templar Wine, Eat Pho, Timmy Chillies and Cherry Tree Preserves adding to the abundance of exhibitors.
Caribbean food, Thai dishes and pizzas will be just some of the options on the menu outside the shopping centre in Kingland Crescent.
Aside from an exhibition, food lovers will be entertained with cookery demonstrations throughout the day where local chefs will take to the stage and cook up a storm to highlight their skills.
The Dolphin is thrilled to welcome back Bini Ludlow from Sweet Cumin who will be cooking up some delicious Indian dishes, along with Andy Chu and Jan from Mr Lees Noodles and head chef Pete Murt from Rick Stein’s Sandbank’s restaurant.
There will also be a range of childrens’ activities available, including making a cress head to take home and watch the cress hair grow.
John Grinnell, centre manager said: “We’re looking forward to hosting our second Taste Festival.
“Food festivals are continuing to grow in popularity, as they give people the chance to sample the latest culinary trends in a really informal and fun setting. The festival is a celebration of this, giving local food traders the opportunity to come together and share their fantastic food with our shoppers.
“We’d encourage Dorset’s foodies to come along, try something different and hopefully discover a new favourite dish.”
The Dolphin Centre’s Taste Festival is a free event and will run from 10am to 5pm.
