PIRATES, acrobats, talent shows and beauty contests will be just part of the celebrations at the launch of the Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet Centre.

The 10-day programme of events will culminate in the appearance of TV style guru Gok Wan to officially open the centre on Saturday, May 30.

The designer outlet will first open its doors on Thursday, May 21.

The full programme of events is:

■ Centre Opening Day on Thursday May 21, from 11.30am – a fabulous aerial acrobatic act high above the mall, followed by entertainment all day. Click here for more

■ Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23, 10am to 4pm – fighting pirates, human statues, stiltwalkers and live music, with nautical themed entertainment throughout the day.

■ Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25, 11am to 1pm, and 2pm to 4pm – kids’ craft workshops with a pirate theme.

■ Tuesday, May 26, to Thursday, May 28, 11am to 2pm – Gloucestershire Has Talent, open auditions.

■ Thursday, May 28, 7pm – Miss Gloucester Final. Full details and ticket availability at www.missgloucester.co.uk.

■ Friday, May 29, noon to 4pm – Gloucestershire Has Talent Grand Final.

■ Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31 – Tall Ships Festival. Fabulous ships sail in for a weekend of family fun. Visit www.gloucestertallships.co. uk.

■ Saturday, May 30, 10.30am – official opening by Gok Wan.

Franco Muccini, centre director, said: "Gloucester Quays is a great place for all the family and there will be something for everyone at the events taking place over the opening period of the first phase of the designer outlet." He said it would provide a fine mix of fun, exciting and stylish events as well as great stores.

■ For more news from Gloucester, log onto www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk /gloucester

Source: www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, Wednesday, May 06, 2009