Westwood Cross to celebrate 20th anniversary

A Kent shopping centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a programme of live music and giveaways throughout the summer.

After opening on June 9, 2005, Westwood Cross in Broadstairs became one of the UK's largest open-air shopping centres.

To mark the anniversary, local buskers and Thanet Rock Choir will be performing at the centre on 14 June.

The 475,000 sq ft shopping centre was built on the site of the former Haine Hospital, which served as a military hospital during World War One and Two before closing in 1997.

Centre director Fran Donovan said everyone involved was "incredibly proud" to be celebrating 20 years of Westwood Cross.

"Since opening in 2005, the centre has grown and evolved alongside the community, and this milestone is a chance to say thank you to all our staff, guests, retailers, and partners who've been part of that journey."

Wendy Pidduck, who has been store manager of H. Samuel since the opening, recalls first visiting the site when it was still "a building site".

"I was fitted out with steel toe capped wellies, hi vis jacket and a hard hat, whilst trying very hard to visualise our new store when it was set out in string and pegs," she said.

A Memorial Wall located at the heart of the main car park stands as a tribute to the site's past as a hospital.

Etched into its surface are the regiment numbers of the soldiers who were treated there during both conflicts.

The musical performance is scheduled to start at 14:00 BST.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.