Chelsea Bay recently celebrated its 1st birthday with 5,000 of its closest friends over Labour Day weekend.

A three-day celebration was held over the New Zealand Labour Day long weekend, from 26 to 28 October.

Chelsea Bay Manager Ginny Brocklehurst the centre had achieved overwhelming success in its first year of operations, and the public’s support for the birthday celebrations were no exception.

“We had an amazing crowd across all three days,” Ginny said.

“We provided 1500 cookies for kids to decorate in the Edmonds Baking School.

“As well as the usual Chelsea Bay fun, we also had face painting, a DJ, and $5 mini factory tours.”

Chelsea Bay has quickly cemented its reputation as a ‘must do’ in Auckland, with more than 120,000 people visiting the centre in its opening year of operations.

“Our visitor numbers for year one were more than double our expectations,” Ginny said.

She said Chelsea Bay’s staff had played a critical role in the centre’s early success.

“We have the most amazing, friendly, welcoming team and visitors comment on this in their feedback,” Ginny said.

She said the centre had evolved since opening and new events and activities continued to be added regularly.

“Much has happened in the Edmonds Baking School, with adult and children’s baking classes introduced, as well as children’s baking birthday parties, and corporate/private events (baking/tour/catering/cafe). We also ran an Opera Night at Sugar Café,” she said.

“Sugar Café is now for evening service five nights a week, from this week, and we’re hoping to be able to offer Chelsea Sugar Factory Tours on Saturdays to enable people to visit, as weekdays can be tricky for people.”

Ginny thanked New Zealand Sugar’s management and owners for having the vision and passion to bring the centre to life, and all New Zealand Sugar employees who supported the venture on a day-to-day basis.

“Our first year of operations have been a fun and memorable – just like Chelsea Bay.”