The Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson, has officially opened the “Pop Up Poppy Shop” in The Harpur Centre, with the help of local Oakley Air Cadets to the sound of bagpipes.

The store, which is now in its fifth year in the Harpur Centre, is located next to Toni & Guy in Horne Lane Mall and will be open seven days a week until Saturday 8th November.  Shoppers can purchase their poppy, donate, obtain information on how to volunteer, join the Royal British Legion, or simply pay a visit to see the amazing memorabilia on show.

Last year the Royal British Legion Bedford and District branch raised over £51,000!  This year the group have set a target to exceed this amount with a little help from Harpur Centre customers and all those purchasing poppies in the local area.

Poppy Appeal Organiser, Angela Parker explains: “We do have an ambitious fundraising target for 2014/15 but based on last year’s phenomenal success, we are confident the public will support us.

“I would like to thank The Harpur Centre for making a unit available for us to run the appeal once again.”

Sam Laycock, The Harpur Centre Manager, comments, “The Pop Up Poppy Shop has gone from strength to strength over the years and we are proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause again, especially as we are commemorating 100 years since the start of the first world war. 

“We would also like to thank the local TA and Kempston Detachment Army Cadets for donating the equipment for our display.  We are sure our customers will be as generous as ever and will wear their poppies with pride,” adds Sam.

Services of Remembrance will take place Sunday 9th November at the War Memorial at Bedford Embankment and outside Boots by the Harpur Centre on Tuesday 11th November at 11.00am.

For further information, please visit www.harpurcentre.co.uk or call 01234 357330.