Sutton shopping centre celebrates 20th anniversary (From Sutton Guardian)

St Nicholas Centre in Sutton celebrates 20 years of shopping

7:20am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

The hub of Sutton’s High Street will celebrate 20 years of shopping while raising funds for St Raphael’s Hospice.

In a birthday spectacular on May 19, the St Nicholas Centre will be turned into a circus with a red, white and blue big top to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

The centre has promised that St Raphael’s Hospice will be the sole beneficiary of collections on the day, which will help the hospice raise much needed funds in its 25th anniversary year.

Back in 1992 the St Nicholas Centre opened with just five stores including Allders, Littlewoods, C&A and World of Food.

Now the centre employs 800 people and has over 60 branded and independent stores.

The SR Kay and Sons Fishmonger has been there since the store opened and Steve Kay said: "It’s been a pleasure trading in the St Nicholas Centre. I was 25 when my father and I first opened our shop, which was odd because the centre wasn’t even completed at the time.

"Since then we have watched our business and the centre grow from strength to strength. We would like to say a massive thank you to all of our loyal customers for their support over the years. If you haven’t visited us yet pop in and say hi."

Sharon Golding, Centre Manager said: "I have seen the centre evolve and flourish in my time at the centre into one of the biggest businesses’ in Town.

"From the day I started work as a part-time receptionist I felt a passion for the St Nicholas which is as strong today as it was back then with the excitement of starting a new venture.

"I can envisage for the Centre many more new and exciting times to come as we head into the next 20 years".

As well as the staff dedication, the St Nicholas Centre has shown great dedication to charity.

From the day it opened the centre saw collections from a number of local and national charities including NSPCC, Wings Appeal, Royal Marsden, St Raphael’s Hospice, Meningitis, Cancer Research, Great Ormond Street and Sutton Shopmobility which resides on level three.