London’s biggest ‘urban beach’ to open at Brent Cross Shopping Centre
16:33 23 June 2015
A similar urban beach will be outside Brent Cross Shopping Centre
Buckets and spades are at the ready as Brent Cross Shopping Centre prepares to open London’s biggest “urban beach” next month.
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The urban beach
Work began on Saturday to transform the esplanade in front of shopping mall into an outdoor pleasure beach featuring sand, sea and traditional fair ground rides from 10 July throughout the summer holidays.
Fairground company the Manning’s Organisation is hard at work building a giant paddling pool and an outdoor beach complete with 250 tonnes of sand, 100 palm tress and oversized deckchairs as well as a 60 ft rollercoaster to give shoppers a taste of the seaside.
Ray Smith, manager at the Manning’s Organisation, said: “There’s a lot of work to do and this is the first time we have run an urban beach through the middle of a big city.
“You can come and paddle or swim in the paddling pool or walk and play on the beach-what’s really nice is that people can come to the beach without leaving Brent.
You can enjoy a Punch and Judy show at the beach
“There’s already a lot of interest. We have a support group for autistic children in Enfield who are bringing their kids for a special session to have an experience of the beach because a journey to the seaside would take too long.”
Entertainment at the at the attraction, which costs £3 to enter and runs until September 2, will include one of the last remaining Helter Skelter rides in the UK, a traditional Punch and Judy show and a carousel.
After a dip in the “sea” visitors can have a taste of traditional seaside refreshments including ice cream and fish and chips as well as a tiki-style Pimms bar.
Tom Nathan, general manager at Brent Cross Shopping Centre said: “I’m extremely excited to be hosting London’s biggest urban beach at Brent Cross. It’s the perfect summer day out, with something to keep all of the family entertained.”