And today, the centre, which boasts 804,000 square feet of retail space that is home to more than 100 retailers of various shapes, sizes and offerings, celebrates its 40th anniversary.

It will mark the occasion with a year of festivities that begin today with a birthday party complete with free birthday cake for 500 visitors, retailer offers and a historic display of Queensgate through the years.

On Saturday, there will be a Time Travelling Disco plus a Scavenger Hunt with 40 prizes for 40 lucky winners.

Queensgate threw open its doors to shoppers on March 9, 1982, and was given a Royal seal of approval on November 18 that year when Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands was invited to officially open the centre that from securing planning approval had taken six years to complete.

You can read the full press release now at the link below