Thomason's Star Shines Brightly on Britain's Tallest Sustainable Christmas Tree

GUILDFORD, Surrey, November 18, 2010 - For the third year running, Britain's tallest sustainable Christmas Tree,
measuring 94ft to the top of its shining star, stands proudly over the
Christmas festivities at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in Ellesmere Port,
South Wirral. Courtesy of the design by the Guildford team at Thomasons, the
nationwide civil and structural engineers, the 9.5 ton tree, with a classical
conical and tapering shape, stands firmly bolted down on a prepared base.

Thomasons, working to a brief from Springfield Decorations & Displays
Ltd, designed the entrancing structure using lightweight steel box sections,
using a clever profile and material that together give strength, stability
and sustainability. The design allows for easy re-use, with enduring
components that are simple to erect and maintain, including all 100,000
lights and 80,000 decorative baubles.

"It's undeniably stunning when it's all lit up," says Chris Shorter,
Thomasons' director, "but it's also a serious and successful piece of design
that has clearly met the client's brief in full."

Cheshire Oaks is hosting this year's lighting-up ceremony tonight,
complete with music acts, fireworks and other seasonal festivities.

The lights are being turned on by 'The Wanted', the popular London boy
band, who will be performing their latest release 'Heart Vacancy'. Supporting
acts include 'X Factor' hopefuls 'Belle Amie' and 'Diva Fever'.

The tree is probably one of the more unusual commissions that Thomasons
has undertaken in recent years. Their work usually involves more conventional
building design and structural issues. However Thomasons is also noted for
their interesting and innovative treatment of glass in structures, especially
in retail outlets. The Westfield London Shopping Centre at White City
includes a number of examples of their work. Thomasons' clients include such
well-known high street names as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Arcadia, TK Maxx,
Carphone Warehouse, Early Learning Centre, Foyles, Starbucks, Pret A Manger &
Jamie's Italian.

Photograph 1: The Christmas tree at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in
Ellesmere Port, South Wirral, designed by Thomasons.

Photograph 2: Inside, the true scale of the Christmas tree is revealed.

Notes to Editors

Thomasons is a long-established and highly successful civil & structural
engineering company that offers a nationwide service covering almost every
aspect of construction from an engineering perspective. Its active portfolio
embraces:

    - Civil & structural engineering - Glass engineering
    - Building refurbishment         - Forensic investigation & expert advice
    - Building surveying             - Design technology
    - Health & safety and CDM

Thomasons is client-led, employing innovative solutions using CAD and
developments in materials technology where appropriate. It is particularly
active in:

      - Education             - Healthcare
      - Insurance             - Leisure
      - Residential           - Commercial & industrial
      - Retail                - Disputes & litigation
      - Waste & recycling

Thomasons is located in:

    Birmingham        London
    Glasgow           Manchester
    Guildford         Southend-on-Sea
    Leeds

Visit www.thomasons.co.uk for more information.

For further media information contact: Nikki Ackerley Property House
Marketing: +44(0)1483-561119, nikki@housegroup.co.uk .

For further media information contact: Nikki Ackerley Property House Marketing: +44(0)1483-561119, nikki at housegroup.co.uk .