Popular shopping mall rebrands with huge community event including children’s choir

Islington Gazette: Balloon manBalloon man (Image: Archant)

Celebrations including air guitaring, a conga, an angel-themed children’s choir and a man inside a balloon all kicked off the relaunch of an Islington shopping centre.

The N1 Centre in Liverpool Road changed its name to Angel Central on Tuesday and invited residents to join in with a day of celebrations.

Children from Hungerford Primary School in Hungerford Road, Holloway, marked the occasion by singing angel themed songs while wearing their hand-crafted angel wings, created as part of a school project linked to the occasion. Centre manager Lynne Glover awarded prizes to the three best designs.

Teacher Catherine McLaughlin said: “It’s been a pleasure to be part of the launch of Angel Central. The children ha loved creating their angel wings and really enjoyed performing at this event and being part of what is a historic occasion in Islington.”

Wagamama staff were so impressed with the children it provided them with complimentary lunch and general manager Ania Gardjaura-Starczewska said: “Their little angel voices, singing angel songs and wearing their handmade angel wings were so heart warming.”

Entertainer Bruce Airhead, whose act sees him inflate a six foot balloon using a voice-activated vacuum cleaner also wowed the crowds.

Shoppers enjoyed an air guitar challenge, a conga and a hula-hooping session, while Angel Central branded goodies and discounts were also on offer.

Lynne said: “The launch of Angel Central is a really exciting time for us. We feel that we now have a much stronger brand identity that reflects not only where we are located, but everything the centre has to offer.”

N1 opened 2002 but recent consumer research revealed that many of its customers weren’t aware of the brand. The new brand was devised to reflect the centre’s prime location in the heart of Angel and to complement an iconic ‘Angel Wings’ sculpture on the site.