Telford Shopping Centre has a new centre director. Chris Jones has taken over from Ray Hoof, who has retired after 30 years in charge of the county’s largest shopping centre.
Chris has nearly 30 years experience in shopping centre management and has relocated to Telford from Sheffield, where he has been centre manager at the Crystal Peaks Shopping Mall and Retail Park since 1991.
His experience also includes periods as centre manager at The Rugby Centre in Warwickshire and centres in Enfield and London’s Oxford Street.
During his time at Crystal Peaks, a 40-acre site with more than 80 stores, Chris was responsible for overseeing an extensive redevelopment, expansion and refurbishment plan, which saw the centre almost double in size over a five-year period.
Under his leadership, Crystal Peaks was also the recipient of several prestigious industry awards. It was the first shopping centre in the UK to be awarded the National Community Mark, and was awarded the community impact award at the Sheffield Business Awards.
Chris said: “I’m thrilled to have joined Telford Shopping Centre. This is a terrific centre with a very exciting future.”Referring to plans to redevelop the centre, he said: “I’m thoroughly looking forward to guiding the centre’s management team, retailers and local community as we transform into The Round over the next few years.
“I first visited Telford Shopping Centre as a young and ambitious centre manager in 1979 and having subsequently met Mr Hoof on a number of occasions over the years, I feel privileged to be continuing his excellent work.”
Mr Hoof became centre director in 1978 and has steered the mall through a period of huge expansion.
He said: “It’s a little strange not to be involved day-to-day anymore, but I’m looking forward to devoting more time to other interests.”
By Neil Thomas
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