Mayor Dave Opens Refurbished Harpur Centre in Bedford Town Centre

The Harpur Shopping Centre in Bedford town centre celebrated its official opening on Saturday, and Mayor Dave Hodgson was invited along to congratulate the centre and its traders on the works and conduct the official opening.

In a speech delivered prior to cutting the ribbon on the new glass lift, Mayor Dave commented that "the Harpur Centre has always been a central shopping hub, at the heart of our town centre, and this impressive refurbishment will cement that status for years to come."

He congratulated the Harpur Centre team and Centre Manager Sam Laycock, and paid tribute to her as a 'great champion for Bedford.' He also thanked centre owners Tellon for their major investment, adding: "We know these are tough times for all town centres, but investment and improvements such as this exciting refurbishment help make Bedford town centre very well placed to not only survive but to thrive."

You can see a selection of photos from the event on Mayor Dave's Facebook page here, where he commented later in the day: "The first ride in the new lift was very smooth! The free Ping Pong Parlour, meanwhile, is a great innovation, and there were lots of people enjoying it this morning.'