RSPB’s first national shopping centre tour takes flight at intu Lakeside

intu’s larger than life Big Birdhouse Tour launched at intu Lakeside last week to bring art and nature to life in partnership with the RSPB, Europe’s largest nature conservation charity. The tour, which will visit 15 intu shopping centres, over the next 16 months, showcases celebrity designed birdhouses to raise money for and awareness of the RSPB.

In 2013, the State of Nature report highlighted that 60 per cent of UK wildlife has declined over recent decades. Working with intu, the RSPB will reach over 30 million people to raise awareness of the importance of Giving Nature a Home. The tour will encourage people to take action and protect the future of Britain’s wildlife, whilst providing a fun and creative experience for the whole family to explore.

“intu is completely focused on giving customers a compelling experience that goes far beyond shopping,” said Trevor Pereira commercial and digital director of intu. “Today’s customers want more than all their favourite shops under one roof, they want somewhere to spend quality time with friends and family, a place to be entertained, a day out experience. Customers fell in love with the Elephant Parade and the Big Birdhouse Tour will follow in those elephant-sized footprints to surprise and delight many more customers.”

The Big Birdhouse Tour is creating more than happy memories for customers, it will help to secure the beauty of Britian’s wildlife for generations to come. Through intu’s schools engagement programme, engaging activities and raising awareness of Europe’s largest conservation charity, the RSPB, this tour will inspire customers, school children and local communities to get involved in their own ‘Giving Nature a Home’ projects, in schools, gardens and public spaces.

Well-known British personalities have teamed up with intu and the RSPB to imaginatively capture their love of nature. Famous names including TV presenter Steve Backshall, radio DJ Jo Wiley and The One Show’s Alex Jones, have created nature inspired birdhouse  designs in support of the tour which will culminate in a final auction to raise funds for the RSPB.

Trevor Pereira, added: “Our first ever national tour for the world famous Elephant Parade raised awareness of the plight of the Asian elephant to millions of our customers. This tour is all about creating a buzz around the nature that surrounds us in our own back gardens and countryside. It’s fantastic to have some great celebrities with a genuine passion for British wildlife, supporting the tour and inspiring the nation to get involved.”