A BASINGSTOKE shopping centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month with a celebratory party.

Festival Place opened in Basingstoke on October 22, 2002.

The one million sq. ft complex was the largest retail and leisure development to open in the UK that year, with 165 shops, 18 cafes, bars and restaurants along with a 10-screen cinema.

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The £300m redevelopment was the result of a shared vision to transform and update Basingstoke town centre.

To celebrate 20 years since its opening, Festival Place is hosting a special party on Saturday, October 22 to mark the momentous occasion, with discounts, roaming acts and a few surprises for visitors.

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The centre’s website states: “It hardly seems possible that 20 years have passed since we first opened our doors, but we will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate the two decades we have spent at the heart of the town.”

A host of retailers will be taking part in the celebrations on the day including BrewDog, Newbury Building Society, Burger King and Office.