Hallowe’en celebrations at Port Arcades Shopping Centre in Ellesmere Port

Oct 31 2012 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

THE Port Arcades was bustling with little witches and wizards, ghosts and ghouls for the centre’s safe trick or treating event.

Shoppers were entertained on the mall by Frankie Frankenstein, the madcap Professor Goosebump and the imposing Grim Reaper on Saturday.

Interactive spooky story time sessions, free face painting, and an abundance of sweets were also laid on.

Staff from many of the centre’s shops joined in the dressing up fun with an impressive array of Hallowe’en costumes.

Prizes for the children’s fancy dress competition were awarded to Mikey Jones, three, Josh Marsh, nine, and three-year-old Cassie Milne, while staff at Costa Coffee won the best overall store for their outfits and decorations.

The Port Arcades Shopping Centre manager, Les Lyon said: “Everyone at the Port Arcades really looks forward to this event and its wonderful to see families and friends meeting up to share in our Safe Trick or Treating and to enjoy our terrific entertainers. The sense of community is so heartwarming.”

The largest pumpkin in Britain also proved a hit with shoppers. Suspended above the centre’s rotunda, the six metre pumpkin is now a firm feature each Hallowe’en.