You can’t miss the Love Your Selfie pop up event in Atria’s shopping centre.
Pink adorns all the walls and you can see the vibrant colour even when standing outside the shop.
But what is it and why is it there?
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The idea is that you, your family and friends can go to the store and spend time in nine selfie rooms that have been decorated with fun and unusual backgrounds – perfect for a selfie lover.
It is in honour of Jessica Macqueen from Watford, who died from cancer aged nine in 2019.
All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to Jessica’s Arc, part of Alice’s Arc cancer charity.
Pink was Jessica’s favourite colour and as I walked around, I thought ‘my nine-year-old self would have loved this’.
It wasn’t just the pink, but there was sparkle, bean bags and fun backgrounds, perfect for children to enjoy.
Jessica’s mum, Laura Macqueen, told me her daughter would have enjoyed the event too.
She said: “She would have loved it. She was just getting to that age when she quite liked doing selfies, not quite Instagram, but all the filters on Snapchat and she would have loved this.
“Some of her school friends are here as well.”
The selfie pods each have a different theme.
One is the Lolly Room with melting lollies painted onto the walls.
The Disco Room proved popular with many of the children and parents who attended.
It was so popular I didn’t get a chance to take a selfie in there.
The walls were draped with pink, and silver sparkly ribbons and disco balls could be used as props.
Another room featured a large melting Rubik’s cube, and one room had a background of optical illusions.
Gift vouchers ranging from £100 to £250 will be available for whoever posts the best selfie.
I spoke to Jessica’s brother Finley, aged 9, about his time and the selfie event.
He said: “I really like the designs of the selfie rooms. My favourite pod is the Rubik’s Cube.”
Frankie Best and Jess Birt, both 17, know Jessica’s family through the horse stables where they would all go.
The Disco Room was also favoured by Frankie. She said: “It’s sparkly and it really draws you in.”
Jess said: “I really liked the library.
“Jessica’s favourite colour was pink, and this really brings everyone together to remember her.”
Atria and Jessica’s family came together when Niamh Crowley, the shopping centre’s marketing manager, suggested the idea.
Mrs Maqueen said: “Atria was putting on an event and wanted a local charity to take on.
“We do quite a lot of fundraising at our school, Holy Rood Catholic Primary School.
“Niamh’s daughter who goes there is in the same class as Finley.
“She became aware of the charity, contacted us and asked if we wanted to come on board with Atria. We are really grateful they have taken us on.”
Tickets cost £5 plus a booking fee and all children under five can go for free.
To find the store head to the upper mall of Atria. It is opposite Hotel Chocolate, where Next used to be.
The event closes on August 30.
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