On Saturday 1st November the sun shone on Pinner High Street as Mary Portas arrived to open the Save the Children’s new “Living and Giving” shop. The large crowd of eager buyers who had gathered outside were entertained by a glamourous stilt walker cum balloon artist (popular with the young) and plied with sparkling wine (popular with the not so young). Mary Portas gave a short speech explaining that she knew Pinner well (she originates from Watford) and related part of a revealing story about her visit to Pinner Fair in the 1970’s (see her biography, to be published next year, for the full details!). Mary asked everyone in Pinner to engage with the new shop, freely giving and buying to support the essential work of Save the Children. She, together with together with 12 year old Yazzi Gokcemen (who has designed an exclusive scarf available in the shop) and 3 year old Jeanie Leyland (daughter of the designer of the shop’s interior décor) then cut the ribbon and announced the shop open.
Mary stayed on to welcome people to the shop, and she kindly spoke with a representative from The Pinner Association, thanking us for our work to maintain and enhance life in Pinner and being very supportive of the efforts of all in Pinner who are endeavouring to support our shops.
