Press Releases

Taking place as part of the UK’s first ever National Family Week, the Glades’ Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Bank Holiday Monday will once again be supported by the Brownies, as well as local families. Being held in central Atrium at 1pm, the event is one of 167 picnics taking place across the country from 25 – 31 May in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for picnicking.

Says Maria Cooper, Marketing Manager for the Glades, “We’re very excited about this World Record attempt. Last year, our malls were awash with sleeping bags as over 1600 excited Brownies, Guides and leaders bedded down for the night. This time it will be picnic rugs! It’s going to be lots of fun and the Glades is delighted to be supporting National Family Week, which aims to celebrate families of all shapes and sizes.”

The World Record sleepover, which took place in March 2008 and was organised by Girlguiding UK, had 1626 participants from across the boroughs of Bromley and Bexley, ranging in age from 7 years to over 70. The Glades was chosen as the venue due to the amount of space available – at 441,000 square feet, it is one of the few locations in Bromley large enough to hold such an event. To qualify for the World Record, all those taking part had to wear pyjamas, stay on the malls for a minimum of 12 hours and be asleep for at least 5 of those hours.

“Unfortunately, the Brownies didn’t keep their World Record for long,” explains Maria Cooper, Glades Marketing Manager, “because another event was organised last summer by Scouts and various other youth organisations that pipped them. That’s why we’re really looking forward to setting another World Record here at the Glades on 25 May.”

Local families wanting to join in the World Record picnic need to register first at www.theglades.uk.com and must bring a rug, at least two courses and drinks – plus a teddy!