Weekly News

MARY PORTAS AND GRAZIA MAGAZINE TO OPEN A “LIVING & GIVING SHOP” AT WESTFIELD LONDON-

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THE VISION

Having spent 12 months working intensively with the charity sector, Mary Portas, Britain’s leading retail guru, came to a singular and focusing conclusion. Rather than taking advantage of the economic downturn to prosper, the vast majority of 5500 Britain’s charity shops had become smelly places products go to die.

From Thursday 4th June to Saturday 27th June, Mary Portas with Grazia, helped by many of their friends across the worlds of fashion and retail, will create a new kind of second hand shop in the luxurious surroundings of the Village at Westfield London. A shop which sits at the heart of a community. A shop people want to be in; A living and giving shop

BOND – THE ORIGINAL ELECTRIC QUARTET RECORDS MINI ALBUM EXCLUSIVELY FOR PEUGEOT

Tracks for free download available at www.opentoallseasons.co.uk

Peugeot is delighted to announce that, to celebrate the launch of its brand new 308 Coupé Cabriolet – the convertible for all seasons - it has commissioned BOND, the all-female multi-million selling original electric string quartet, to write and record a new arrangement of classical music’s most popular work – the Four Seasons. The recording is available exclusively through Peugeot’s website.

An innovative move, this unorthodox release (four tracks; one representing each of the seasons) makes Peugeot the first car manufacturer to record and release a mini-album exclusively for free download.

The modern interpretation of the Baroque masterpiece has been recorded to mark the launch of the Peugeot 308 CC model - an innovative addition to the Peugeot family with a first-in-its class Airwave Neck Heating System that blows air around the neck, allowing the driver the pleasure of enjoying a convertible all year round.

In lending their genre-defying sound to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the Bond girls were inspired by their good friend and colleague, Nigel Kennedy. Says viola player, Tania: “We were so happy to be invited by Peugeot to record our take on the Four Seasons. This is our own celebration of one of the greatest and most exciting pieces of music and which all string players adore performing.”

This also marks the first time Bond unveils its new member, violinist Elspeth Hanson. Elspeth was chosen from hundreds of musicians and is the beautiful and hugely talented violinist who played alongside David Beckham; guitar legend, Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis at last year’s handover to Britain at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

UK’s Biggest Ever Family Bash!

• Now more than 2000 family friendly events to choose from:
• Sports, arts, education, entertainment... and the obscure
• Visit www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk to find out what’s on near you

This Summer half term [25-31 May 2009] sees the arrival of National Family Week, the first ever week for celebrating all that is great about the family and for enjoying family time together - and there are now more than 2000 weird, wild and wonderful family events happening across the UK to take your pick from.

Thanks to more than 150 national organisations supporting the week ranging from The Ramblers Association and the National Parks to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and the Natural History Museum, there is something for every family. You name it, from rambling to white water rafting, classical concerts for kids to planet modelling, woodland crafts to writing workshops - there will be an event near you! Some of the events include:-

• The Ramblers Association:More than 100 family walks will be taking place week long
• The Tennis Foundation:25 tennis taster events on Monday 25 May
• National Parks:84 events at 14 parks
• Woodland Trust:A series of led family walks at key sites across the UK and a downloadable pack of ‘things to do for families’ whilst walking in the woods!
• Imperial War Museum:Family themed events at museums across the UK
• Butlins resorts:Family Week Story Time events with Pingu and Billy the Bear at resorts across the country
• Capital Shopping Centres:A whole host of National Family Week events in 10 participating centres across the week

CELEBRATING THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 19-23 MAY
Next week sees the start of the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a number of Hot Brands friends will be there:


David Harber:
SUNDIALS, WATER FEATURES. GARDEN SCULPTURE
Every David Harber creation is, in essence, a sculpture. Inspired by the interaction of light, landscape and water, David Harber uses contemporary three-dimensional design to celebrate unpredictability, illusion and the passage of time. Their wonderful stand will be STAND MA5 on Main Avenue
http://www.davidharbersundials.co.uk/

The Real Flower Company
The company is dedicated to the small-scale production of flowers that will fill your senses with their unique look, texture and exquisite scent. From tilling, to planting and harvesting, every bed is tended by hand. All stems are individually selected, cut, prepared and tied by the people who grow them. If you are looking for wonderful scents they will be showing scented roses, Flower arranging tools, vases and candles. Stand CW/1
http://www.realflowers.co.uk/

Gardens Illustrated
A team from Gardens Illustrated is going to be at Chelsea. One of our favourite magazines, they will be selling magazines and subscriptions at discounted rates. Stand EA89.

HÄAGEN-DAZS LEICESTER SQUARE TO HOST EXCLUSIVE MENU SAMPLING EVENTS FOR ITS FACEBOOK FANS

Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square announces that it will be offering free menu tastings exclusively for lovers of their ice cream who join the official Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square page on social networking site Facebook.

Starting from this month, the luxury ice cream brand will post invitations on the new page every time a new product or flavour is launched at its flagship shop. On a limited, first-come, first-served basis five fans will have the opportunity to attend an indulgent ice cream feast with a friend and sample the new flavours and creations.

The new Facebook page aims to encourage conversation between lovers of Häagen-Dazs, Leicester Square visitors and ice cream enthusiasts in general.

Michelle Foo, Brand Manager for Häagen-Dazs Shops, says: “We noticed that there were a few Häagen-Dazs Leicester Square appreciation groups created by Facebook users and wanted to create an official page where we can engage with our fans directly. We hope fans will enjoy the page and the menu sampling opportunities and we look forward to their feedback.”