Little shoppers are a top priority as centre grows

Extract:

As the extended St David's gears up for its opening on 22 October, the existing shopping centre in Cardiff is re-launching its Little Shoppers Stay Safe scheme, which aims to prevent children from getting lost in the shopping centre.

Article:

As the extended St David's gears up for its opening on 22 October, the existing shopping centre in Cardiff is re-launching its Little Shoppers Stay Safe scheme, which aims to prevent children from getting lost in the shopping centre.

Launched last year, the scheme already attracts up to 15 families a week but the shopping centre wants to see all families using the scheme by October, making it a part of their shopping routine.

The scheme works by giving the children wristbands with dedicated phone numbers for others to call should they find a lost child. This will help them to be quickly reunited with their parents. The scheme also gives children a place to go if they get lost, marked with the teddy bear logo displayed in shop windows, children can identify safe places to seek help and remain secure and in one place until help arrives.

Steven Madeley, Centre Director at St David's, said: 'When we fully open on 22 October, there will be 100 new shops added to the shopping centre and nearly 1,395,000 sq ft of additional floor space, which is a far greater area for children to get lost in, especially if families are shopping in busy times like Christmas or the sales.

'We will be one of the biggest shopping centres in the UK and we want to ensure all our shoppers stay safe, including the little ones. The scheme is completely free to use and gives parents and children the peace-of-mind to enjoy their shopping experience even more.'

Jane Menin-Steere is from Lakeside in Cardiff and has been using Little Shoppers Stay Safe for the past year with her two children, Jack, five, and Tilly, who is three. She said: 'I always use the scheme. It's a fantastic idea and it not only puts my mind at ease a bit more but it makes the children feel much safer too. They love wearing the wristbands and I think it makes them more aware that they could get lost so they stay closer to me.

'Everyone on the information desk in the shopping centre knows the children and we are always made to feel very safe from the moment we step foot inside. Every family should do it.'

On Friday 7 August, the shopping centre will be holding a special event from 10am-4pm to raise awareness of the safety scheme with parents and to keep the children occupied in the school holidays. The Little Shoppers Stay Safe mascot Bernie Bear will be on hand along with free face-painting for all children. There will also be a limited number of Little Shoppers goody bags and a special visit from the Build-a-Bear characters.

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