Posted by admin on May 17, 2010 under Retailers | 
A straight press release today gys – simply because I think it’s great and I can’t improve on it! Genuinely exciting!
Samsung Mobile L!ve ‘Monte Battle of the Bands’ comes to Milton Keynes
Samsung launches live music talent show at thecentre:mk
Samsung Mobile L!ve today announced the launch of ‘Monte Battle of the Bands’ – showcasing the best in live regional music talent from around the UK. Unsigned bands from Milton Keynes will get the chance to play the gig of their lives and they’ll need to pull out their most rock’n’roll dance moves and best guitar strums to win the ultimate prize – studio time worth up to £10,000 to record their own album tracks.
‘Monte Battle of the Bands’ will give local unsigned bands the chance to perform in Milton Keynes in front of a Samsung Mobile L!ve audience.
Those wishing to enter should sign up at www.samsung.com/uk/mobilelive/monte and submit a video of their band performing – the best talent will then be invited to battle against each other and have their performances uploaded to the web site after the event at thecentre:mk. The public will then vote online to decide the overall winners who will receive £10,000 of production time at well renowned recording studio.
The winning band’s tracks recorded as part of their prize, will then be made available to download for free to ‘Monte Battle of the Bands’ voters.
The event will be take place at the following shopping centre:
The brand new Samsung Monte has full social networking applications including Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, allowing users to access their favourite bands profiles whenever and wherever they choose.
Advanced Instant Messaging capabilities mean users have access to all their friends at the touch of a screen. Available to buy now, the Monte comes in orange and graphite, or a black and silver design.
The first twenty people (aged 16 or over) on each day to purchase a Monte handset from any of the retailers in thecentre:mk, will receive £50 worth of See vouchers.
Posted by admin on May 7, 2010 under Uncategorized |
It sounds crazy doesn’t it. A ’study-bed’ but the idea is really rather simple and works as follows -
You sleep on your bed, you wake up, you stand by your bed and lift the edge, it pivots into the wall and low & behold a desk appear from underneath the bed!!!! Perfect for small rooms and aparently Portsmouth Uni have bought loads.
They’ve even been featutred on been featured on TV shows including DIY SOS and 60 Minute Makeover. The StudyBed was voted ‘My Favourite Thing’ at the National Home Improvements Show at Earl’s Court, by George Clarke, architect presenter of Channel Four’s, The Home Show. “One of the best ways of changing space in a small room” was George’s summary.
Wow – and when you don’t use it, it campigns for world peace – it’s THAT good.
Now, I know you’re excited, and the question burning in your mind now is where cabn I can see? Well, I’m glad you asked – from the 20 – 23 May in Middleton Hall at thecentre:mk will be hosting the “Don’t Move – Improve!” show where customers will be able to get advice and see products aimed at improving their home (oh and the StudyBed will be there).
Posted by admin on April 26, 2010 under Uncategorized |
Today, I had a revelation, I was at ShakeAway doing a photoshoot for their “Star in the Video” event which happens this weekend and I found an all new sherbert fountain!!! Now, I’ve never professed this before but I LOVE Sherbert Fountains. My wife can testify that when given one, I will gladly tip the whole lot in my mouth and then sit there sneezing and coughing white clouds of fine dust and then lie in the corner with a headache for the next hour or so! Genius. I also found Pop Tarts, Wagon Wheels – in fact, as well as reinventing the milkshake, ShakeAway has turned itself into a sweet shop of the ages!
So anyway, back to the blog – ShakeAway, are holding a national “Star in the Video” weekend on the 1 and 2 May where customers who dress up as celebrities (and the store staff recognise them – this bit is crucial) will get 10% off all milkshakes and have the opportunity appear in the music video “Shake It”.
The “Shake It” pop video (I’m assuming it’s related to Beat It) sung by the “The Shakettes!” and featuring X-Factor VoiceOver Man Peter Dickson (second only in voice over stakes to the fella of Come Dine With Me who really is a god!). Any customer turning up on Saturday or Sunday who has dressed like a celebrity and the store staff are able to identify will automatically get 10% off their milkshake order and you can upload your photo via the iphone app thingy or by emailing videostar@shakeaway.com for inclusion in the pop video.
The manager for Shakeaway Milton Keynes even said that,”… if anyone from Milton Keynes comes as Stavros Flatley, they can have the drink for free!” Sounds like a challenge to me.
Sarah Zeroual, manager (Beyonce), Tim Hazell (Ace Ventura Pet Detective) and Cheech Nolan (Hannah Montana)
Posted by admin on April 21, 2010 under Retailers |
Well, it’s been a weird week at thecentre:mk. you’ll see from the recent blog post that Peter Hook and Howard Marks visted thecentre:mk. This weekend we had not one, not two, not three but FOUR, yes FOUR cricketing legends. If cricket is your thing then thecentre:mk was the place to be last weekend.
Obviously Ian Botham was in town to promote his latest walk, which started from Marks & Spencer and continued down to Willen Lake but what’s not so weel known is the respect/fear that Beefy inpires in the current crop of stars. You’ll see from the pic that Deveon Malcolm, Darren Gough and Freddie Flintoff all put in an appearance!
They all dutifully signed autographs – Freddie even signed one for my little boy. Needless to say that my little boy is only two and has no real idea who Freddie is, but in 20 years…well he’ll still have no idea but at least I did the good dad thing and tried!
Four legends of the crease
Posted by admin on April 16, 2010 under Retailers |
Now there’s a question! Personally, I can exclusively confirm that i was born in the 70’s and bought my first record in the 1980’s and it was…..Ghostbusters! Get in! ‘m not going to lie and tell you I bought something by Paul Weller or some other such musical god when infact it was Aggadoo by Black Lace! It was Ghostbusters and I’m damn proud of it.
However, I’ll be honest, if I’d bought ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ (released in April 1980) I would be quite pleased with myself.
To that end, I was quite excited to see Peter Hook at Pulp in thecentre:mk yesterday, although he was accompanied by gangster turned celeb Howard Marks (looking like a cross between sideshow bob and hans moleman from the Simpsons).
Anyway, for those of you avid Peter Hook/Howard Marks fans – heres a pic of the pair of them.
Howard Marks and Peter Hook at PULP in thecentre:mk
Posted by admin on March 30, 2010 under Middleton Hall Exhibitions |
Easter, a time for bunnies, chocolate, a lovely long weekend hoping for sun and getting rain, oh and village fetes. What do you mean you’ve never been to a village fete, of course you have and if you haven’t all you have to do is watch any episode of Midsummer Murders to see one!
The bastian of the W.I. (Women’s Institute), and hyperactive children released for the first tiem since their long winter hibernation, the Village Fete is a traditional as apple pie (not the American Pie version!)
But how do you enjoy it indoors? Simple, (here comes the plug – well, you are reading thecentre:mk blog after all) from 2 – 18 April Middleton Hall, at regional shopping destination thecentre:mk, will be transformed into a village green to host thecentre:mk Easter Village Fete. The events space will be ‘grassed’ over and the fete will include children’s craft workshops, a petting farm, traditional rides and stalls selling homemade baking.
The fete will be dominated by two marquees. The first will house a Petting Farm (running from 7 – 18 April) which will house animals including pigmy goats, lambs, hens, chicks, Vietnamese potbellied pigs, rabbits, and either a pony or a calf. However, before the petting farm opens, Children’s crafts Workshops will run from the 2-6 April making Easter Cards (Friday 2 April), Easter Egg decorations (Saturday 3 April), Spring & Easter bookmarks (Monday 5 April) and Easter themed masks (Tuesday 6 April). The second marquee will play host to a wide variety of traditional stall holders selling homemade baking from around the region.
All that’s is steam engine holding up the traffic, a hot dog stall that your slightly worried about, oh and the rain!
Posted by admin on March 24, 2010 under Uncategorized |
Well done to the MK Lions who beat the Essex Pirates last night in Middleton Hall. The win ended eight straight defeats. I saw my first Basketball game last week and although the Lions lost it was a great sport to watch – very fast and two hours zipped by really quickly although I have to admit after playing in the Corporate Basketball the other month, it is a bit heightest!
Anyway, for those who want to know. Robert Youngblood rolled back the years last night to inspire MK Lions to their first BBL victory in nine games. The forward turns 41 next week, yet he was the star performer on a tense night at Middleton Hall as he top scored with 30 points, 17 rebounds and three assists.
Lions confidence has been dented by their recent poor form and they almost threw the game away at the end, but EJ Harrison, on his return from injury, netted four late freethrows to seal the vital win which strengthens Lions play-off bid.
Harrison, Youngblood, Maximillion Simon, Dru Spinks and Yorick Williams took to the floor to start the match. It was the Pirates who started the scoring with Walid Mumuni netting twice from the free-throw line. But veteran Youngblood turned in a vintage performance, netting 11 of Lions opening 17 points they moved ahead of their opponents.
The free-throws of Taner Adu helped reduce Lions lead to 17-14, but baskets from Spinks and more from Youngblood at the buzzer gave Lions a 26-18 advantage.
Adu was key again for the Pirates starting the second quarter with a three pointer, quickly followed by two three-pointers fromWilliams, yet the Lions defence allowed the Pirates to stay in touch.
A Harrison three-pointer brought up the half century of points for the Lions who lead 50-43 at the break. Randy George impressed after the interval, as did Marcus Knight, helping reduce the deficit, yet Youngblood and Morris kept Lions 70-63 ahead.
But in the final quarter the hosts very nearly let the game slip through their hands as they saw their lead twice disappeared, but Craig Pringle found the net from the free-throw line and a steal from Youngblood allowed Williams to race up the court to put the Lions back in the driving seat.
Harrison and Williams then held their nerve at the stripe to earn two important points for the Lions.
Great Netball Guys!
Posted by admin on March 23, 2010 under Uncategorized |
Congrats to the TK Maxx team who ran and cycled 860 miles in aid of Sport Relief
The staff at TK Maxx cycled and ran 860 miles raising nearly £800 in aid of Sport Relief. The original target was to cover the 351 mile distance from Milton Keynes to Paris from the 19 – 21 March; however, the team broke this target going from Milton Keynes to Paris and back again over the period.
I’ve probably said it once, but I’ll say it again. Crazy Fools!!!!!
According to Philip Davies, manager of TK Maxx Milton Keynes and Regional Sport Relief Champion for TK Maxx (he’s very important!) explained further; “We’re delighted to have been involved in such an event, I don’t think any of us appreciated how hard it was going to be but raising such a good amount of money has been worth it. We completed the 860 miles in 65 hours averaging over 13 miles per hour.
I’m thrilled with my team; 42 members of staff took part in the event some coming in on their day off to complete the challenge. During the weekend we managed to raise £400 from public donations in the store, but coupling that with pre-arranged sponsorship and we’re nearly at the £800 mark. Sport Relief is such a great way to raise money for disadvantaged people across the globe, and although we all feel a lot stiffer for the experience we did get a bit fit in the process.”
Posted by admin on March 18, 2010 under Retailers |
Woah those crazy fools from TK Maxx are planning to Cycle and Run from Milton Keynes to Paris in aid of Sport Relief!
Lawrence Dallaglio and his team have cycled from Italy to Scotland during the Six Nations, Christine Bleakley from The One Show is attempting to water-ski across the channel and Eddie Izzard ran 43 marathons in 51 days all in aid of Sport Relief. Now staff at TK Maxx in thecentre:mk are getting in the act by cycling and running the 351 miles from Milton Keynes to Paris from the 19 – 21 March all without leaving the store!!!!!!!!!
Philip Davies, manager of TK Maxx Milton Keynes and Regional Sport Relief Champion for TK Maxx explained further; “At 351 miles we would need to cover 117 miles per day and if we’re to complete this during trading hours we’ll need an average speed over 13 miles per hour.
Taking our inspiration from Eddie Izzard we’ve done minimal training and just want to throw ourselves into the challenge. Sport Relief is such a great way to raise money for disadvantaged people across the globe, and we might get a bit fit in the process.”
With 60 staff the stores hopes to complete the challenge within normal opening times but those involved will stay to complete the distance whatever time they finish. For more information on Sport Relief, simply visit www.bbc.co.uk/sportrelief and to donate to the team just visit the store during the weekend.
Hat’s off to you guys, good luck!!!!
