Media Release:Red Kites in MetroCentre Red Mall
Media release
Issued on behalf of the Northern Kites project partnership
20 June 2007
RED KITES IN THE RED MALL…SHOPPERS ALL IN A FLUTTER IN METROCENTRE
Today saw the unveiling of Red Kites in the Red Mall, a new piece of collaborative work between two of the region’s top brands, Northern Kites and MetroCentre (the largest shopping and leisure centre in Europe). MetroCentre today launched ‘Red Kites in the Red Mall’, unveiling a large banner (photo attached) showing a red kite, situated close to the pedestrian entrance of the Red Mall. This image is supported by information panels, situated close to the Red Mall Customer Services Desk, which tell the tale of the return of red kites to north east England. The desk has literature about the work of Northern Kites and information on how people can see kites locally.
Karen Carr, MetroCentre Marketing Manager said, “We are delighted to be associated with such a worthwhile campaign. The red kite image in the Red Mall is very eye catching and it is great to be able to let our shoppers know that such spectacular wildlife can be seen within a kilometre of MetroCentre. It is great to know that we can help Northern Kites continue to raise the profile and awareness of this valuable project.”
Keith Bowey, Project Manager of Northern Kites, warmly applauded MetroCentre for their work in supporting the spreading of the Northern Kites message. He said, “It is great to have the support of MetroCentre in doing this, it will allow shoppers to learn a little more about the kites and to take that next step, go and see them, and enjoy the fantastic green environment of the northeast.
"This is an excellent example of how business can work in innovative ways to support work for wildlife and the environment. We are hugely fortunate that we have had such magnificent support from the business sector for the Northern Kites project in recent years, from leading businesses like Northumbrian Water - one the Project partners - Go North East and MetroCentre.”
Northern Kites, the project that is bringing the red kite back to north east England, is a partnership between the lead partners Natural England and the RSPB and Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, the National Trust and the Forestry Commission supported with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Trust.
Visitors to MetroCentre are just an eight-minute bus ride, from MetroCentre Interchange to seeing red kites in the beautiful Derwent Walk Country Park, in Gateshead’s Derwent valley. Gateshead Council and Northern Kites are running the Kitewatch watch point everyday until Sunday 5th August 2007. It will be staffed daily, between 10am and 4pm.
How to get there from MetroCentre:
By car – from the A1 follow the A694 to the car park at Winlaton Mill.
By bus –Catch the ‘Red Kite’ from Stand F (number 45 or 46) at the MetroCentre Interchange, Gateshead getting off the Winlaton Mill car park. (Traveline telephone: 0870 6082608)
To reach the watch point, follow the marked trail from the car park at Winlaton Mill (opposite the garage at the traffic lights). From here, it is a thirty-minute walk from the car park to the watch point, along a route, which is accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs.
For further information about Kitewatch 2007, telephone:
Thornley Woodland Centre on 01207 545212
Northern Kites Office on 0191 4961555
ends
For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Keith Bowey, Northern Kites Project Manager : 0191 496 1555
David Hirst, RSPB Northern England Office: 0191 233 4321 or 07885 834889
Jane Boaden, Natural England: 01661 845518 or 07803228392
David Hirst, Regional Communications Manager
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds • Northern England Region
1 Sirius House • Amethyst Road • Newcastle Business Park • Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YL
Tel: 0191 233 4321 • Fax: 0191 233 4322 • e mail:
[email protected]
Registered charity no 207076
