EVERYONE wanted to see what the fuss was about.
The women scoured the shelves in Marks and Spencer, men wanted to catch a glimpse of the electronics and the kids just wanted to play on the wooden horses.
That was the scene exactly 40 years ago today, on March 2, 1976, when Brent Cross Shopping Centre opened its doors.
There was a lot of hype: it was the first American style shopping centre in Europe and had been 19 years in the making.
An advert in 1976
Nirupa Vadera remembers it well. Now 62, she has worked in John Lewis since the day it opened when she was just 19.
The mother-of-two marvelled at how it was air conditioned – a feat more a less unheard of back in the 70s.
She told the Times Series: “When I walked through the doors I remember thinking how fantastic it all was. It was an experience and a half.
“The whole centre was unique. Everything was indoors but we weren’t used to that.
“When I first started I expected to be here for a couple of years but the time seems to have just disappeared.
“It’s become a part of me. Every day here is different, every day is unique. It’s like a family here, it is part of my life.
“I’m not sure if I can find it in to me to retire but I’m sure my husband will think otherwise.”
She has found memories of the fountain which dominated the hallway, spurting water almost as high the dome-shaped ceiling. Today, it has been replaced with a giant trampoline.
Previously, the face of London retail was dominated by the West End but Brent Cross quickly became the blueprint for shopping centres across Europe.
Boots, John Lewis, Fenwick, Marks and Spencer, Russell and Bromley, Miss Selfridge and Mothercare have all been in the centre for the full 40 years.
It has also featured in films including James Bond’s Tomorrow Never Dies and was featured in Bloc Party’s music video, The Love Within.
Chief executive David Atkins says he remembers the way his mother dragged him to the centre the first week it opened when he was nine.
And centre manager Tom Nathan started out as a Saturday boy in Peter Lord, which is now known as shoe shop Clarks when he was 19.
He left for a while but returned to the centre 19 years ago.
He said: “There was no other place like it. We used to get people in from abroad to see this new shopping centre. People take it for granted now.
“On a commercial level, it’s amazing that it has remained this successful for 40 years. There aren’t too many companies that have survived and remain as strong as we are now.
“On a more emotional level, everyone has their personal story. People say it’s where they grew up, where they remember coming with their families.
“Emotional attachment to a building is rare. I feel we owe Brent Cross a heck of a lot.”
To mark the day and thank them for their loyalty, long-standing staff members will be given trophies as part of celebrations today.
The centre is preparing to be redeveloped by Hammerson and Standard Life as part of the wider £4bn Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme, and will include a wider range of shops and a new cinema.
Share your memories below.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here