Archived press release

Date Published: 14/11/07

The Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership is delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Faulkner as the new interim town centre manager for Aylesbury. Rachel has been appointed to cover the maternity leave of Talia Sulman, the permanent post hol...

The Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership is delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Faulkner as the new interim town centre manager for Aylesbury.

Rachel has been appointed to cover the maternity leave of Talia Sulman, the permanent post holder. She was until recently station manager for the local radio station, Mix 96, so brings to the role lots of knowledge, contacts and experience of organising major events.

Over the next six months, Rachel will be working in partnership with town centre businesses, AVDC, Buckinghamshire County Council and Aylesbury Town Council to help promote the town centre. She will be primarily based in the town centre manager’s office in the Hale Leys Shopping Centre.

Welcoming the appointment, Councillor Kevin McPartland, Cabinet Member for Civic Amenities at AVDC, said: “It’s great news that Rachel has been appointed. She has arrived at a very exciting time with the town’s redevelopment underway. I know that Rachel is looking forward to the challenges she faces and her appointment will, I’m sure, improve the potential for attracting more visitors and shoppers to our town.”

Roger Simmons, the Chairman of the Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership, added: “The Christmas trading period is an especially important time for traders so Rachel’s appointment comes at a crucial time. Her many years experience of running Mix 96 will be a great asset and the Partnership is looking forward to working with her in the coming months.”

Rachel is already working with a host of partners to prepare for the Christmas festivities. The first of many events will be the Christmas lights “switch-on”, which will take place in Market Square on 15 November from 5.30pm.

Magician and celebrity, Paul Daniels, and his wife, Debbie McGee, will be switching on the town’s Christmas lights. They are starring in a production of Peter Pan at the Civic Centre, starting in December, which will be the last ever pantomime to be held at the venue.

The town’s Christmas lights will be officially switched on at 6.50pm and there will also be cheerleaders, carols from Turnfurlong School, an Elton John tribute band and a fantastic water fountain in Market Square.

The ‘big switch-on’ will herald the start of Thursday late night shopping in the town in the run up to Christmas. Car parking will be free in council car parks and the Friars Square shopping centre car park on Thursday evenings after 4.30pm and all day on 8, 15 and 22 December. Parking is also free on Sundays.

To keep the youngsters busy, Santa’s parade will be travelling through the town centre on 18 November. The parade sets off from the High Street at 10.30am, finishing at Santa’s grotto in Friars Square Shopping Centre.

Santa’s parade includes children’s characters, street entertainers, a junior chorus and the Mayor of Aylesbury. There will be a chance for youngsters to meet Santa’s ponies and take part in activities in Market Square after the parade.

For more information on town centre events, please visit www.aylesburyvibe.info or call 01296 585880.