Thousands of excited fans crowded from 4pm at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway earlier today (Thursday 7th November) to watch The Saturdays open The Mall’s Winter Wonderland and switch on the shopping centre’s Christmas lights.
Saturdays fans braved the cold rain for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on concert in support of the military charity Help for Heroes.
Bristol Fashion Week host and ITV Daybreak presenter Mark Heyes fronted the show, and entertained an eager crowd before The Saturdays arrived. We were welcomed first by a short, but sweet set from local band Young Kato. Already having been support acts for Pixie Lot and Olly Murs at the Mall, the crowd was already familiar with the boys.
After much anticipation, and introductions from Mark Heyes, The Saturdays finally took to the stage. After The Saturdays had been introduced, the crowd began counting down for the lights switch-on. The band was one member short, with Frankie still at home looking after a new addition to her family. However, Una, Mollie, Rochelle and Vanessa kept The Saturdays’ flag flying and crowded around the plunger to press it down together. The dark winter’s night was soon filled with blue and white Christmas lights, surrounding the stage and Mall with a Christmas glow. The Christmas Castle lit up from behind the stage, and to top off the Christmas feeling, fake snow falling over the crowd.
The Saturdays then began to fulfil their fans’ needs, starting with the well known song ‘Notorious’. They urged the crowd to dance along to keep the crowd warm from the cold. The Saturdays then continued with both recent and older songs such as ‘Higher’, ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’, ‘Ego’, ‘Up’, ‘Forever Is Over’, ‘Issues’, ‘All Fired Up’, ‘Disco Love’ and finishing with their first no. 1, ‘What About Us’. The Saturdays also treated one special fan by singing Happy Birthday, after seeing from a banner it was a female fan’s birthday. The girls accompanied some great songs with some great dance routines!
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway’s Winter Wonderland also opened tonight after the concert. The wonderland will now be open until Sunday 5th January. The Winter Wonderland includes Santa’s Enchanted Castle, which viewers can watch a light display every hour. The castle will be open everyday until Christmas Eve when Santa has to leave then to deliver his presents! Tickets cost just £4, which also includes a gift from Santa.
The Winter Wonderland also accommodates the largest outdoor ice rink in the South West. Ice skating sessions last for 45 minutes and tickets are from £4.50. The ice rink also has offers depending on day and time, so make sure you check on The Mall’s website www.mallcribbs.com.
This Sunday (10th November), Santa’s reindeer will also be making an appearance at the Winter Wonderland. The reindeer will be there from 10am till 2pm, when children will be able to take a close look at the reindeer in their petting area next to the ice rink.
Tonight we also welcomed back the longer opening hours for The Mall, which will now be open 9.30am to 10pm every weekday and 9am to 9pm on Saturdays. These hours will continue right up until Friday 20th December.
Photos by Ryan Smith. More photos on PicasaWeb.
