VISITORS celebrated the opening of the new WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre shop with a celebrity loved by all ages Donald Duck declared the new shop open and cut the ribbon on Monday (July 21). The new larger and brighter gift shop stocks a fine collection of books, cards, children’s toys, outdoor clothing, art prints, binoculars and birdfeeders and food.

Thanks to its bigger footprint the shop now has many new product lines including artwork, mugs and stationary featuring the famous Bewick’s swan bill print.

Within the new space there is also a storytelling area in the children’s book section. On the opening day Gloucestershire’s Bill French entertained families there in the afternoon with a collection of nature-themed stories.

The shop work was completed within just six weeks to open in time for the summer holidays. Veronica Chrisp, General Manager at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, said: “We are thrilled with the new shop, it is spacious, bright and very beautiful.

“The shop is an important part of the visitor experience at Slimbridge and now it is really a joy to spend time in.”