It was the talk of the region - more than 100 shops, including Marks and Spencer and John Lewis, crammed inside a £235million shopping centre on the outskirts of Bristol. So when opening came, there was much anticipation at the The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.
Dozens of people queued outside before, at 10am, nine-year-old schoolgirl Charlotte Bennett cut the ribbon and the shoppers flooded inside; 40,000 in total by lunchtime it was reported at the time.
That was 25 years ago, and as these pictures show, some of the shops have changed, as have fashions. Who remembers the Disney store, Jessops and Burtons?
To mark the birthday, on the weekend of June 1 and 2, the shopping centre is holding a 90s-themed part in the central fountain area with music, dancing and games. But let’s first look back on the opening a quarter of the century ago with these amazing pictures:
1. Standing tall!
The centre-piece of The Mall was its walkway entrance with a river going up the centre before a small waterfall running down the steps - these people pictured like it!
2. Fashions change
Shoppers flooded into the centre on its opening day
3. Queue outside
People line along the metal railings as they wait to go inside The Mall on its opening day
4. Opening time
Shoppers can’t wait to get inside The Mall ahead of opening