Wrexham’s students swooped on Eagles Meadow to take part in a shopping extravaganza.
Organised by the shopping centre, stores slashed their prices especially for students in the local area.
Discount deals of up to 20 per cent off were on offer at the first ever Student Take Over at Eagles Meadow.
Adding to the festivities was a live appearance by top DJ and promoter, Ross Roberts, 32.
Ross, who has worked with the likes of The Charlatans, Miles Kane, Death in Vegas, and Alt J, played underground indie and punk music for undergrads at Topshop during the event.
According to the President of the Student Guild at Glyndwr University, Luke Murphy, events like this make a big difference to students.
He said: “It’s really helpful for students to have discounts. It’s just brilliant. Contrary to popular belief, students aren’t as rich as a lot of people think.
“There’s a lot of pressure on students. Living costs are going through the roof, and the added price on food which is hitting students so anything like this is really good.
““I love Eagles Meadow – it’s great. I love the shops – everything about the place. It’s really good, and what they’re doing tonight with the Student Take Over is fantastic.”
Donicia Henry, 17, who studies Law, Media and English literature at Coleg Cambria’s Yale College campus, said: “I’ve been looking for shorts and jeans – everything! I’m filling my boots.
“I want to make the most of the opportunity. I think the Student Take Over at Eagles Meadow is a great idea. When you can’t afford stuff it helps if it’s in a sale.
“I plan to hit all of the shops that are in the sale. I’m looking for a whole new wardrobe. I’m getting everything I can get my hands on. The student discount makes you want to come shopping. It’s a big incentive.”
Fellow student Jess Lovell, 17, who is studying childcare and education, added: “I love Eagles Meadow. I spend half my time here. There are just so many different shops. You’ve also got the food court and cinema and entertainment. It’s fab. I love Nandos.
“We’re going there tonight after doing. some shopping I think the Student take over is a good initiative to help students. I’m on the look out for some going out clothes. I’m going to be getting loads of clothes hopefully.”
Retailers at the centre felt the event had been a huge success and many reported bumper sales figures on the night itself.
Among the outlets offering 20 per cent off were Animal, Bank, Topshop, Topman, Ragazzi, River Island Pizza Express, Nando’s Trespass, and The Real China .
There was also 20 per cent off at Dorothy Perkins and the Oasis and Warehouse concessions at Debenhams, and 20 per cent off pre-owned items at Grainger Games.
Sarah Dixon, the Manager of Bank, thinks the Student Take Over was great for Eagles Meadow and the students.
She said: “It’s really busy here which is really good. People are grabbing all the bargains they can. It’s a great event and we’ll hopefully have a lot more in the future. It’s something that I’d definitely like to see again.
“I think the fact that the whole site is open is amazing. It brings people to the site. It helps out the students as well which is great because every little penny helps.”
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley said: “This is the first year that we have staged such an event specially for the students in the town who are some of the keenest trendsetters in Wrexham.
“There were also a huge range of special discounts and offers for them to take advantage of and our aim was to show local students what a great range of retailers we have on offer at Eagles Meadow.
“We’re aware that budgets are extremely tight for students these days so this event worked for everybody concerned.”
