THE VIEW FROM THE SHARD CELEBRATES ITS MILLIONTH VISITOR

This week The View from The Shard warmly welcomed its 1 millionth guest just after 10.30am on Wednesday 26 February. The lucky winner, Paul Olding from Hadlow, near Tonbridge in Kent, became the millionth visitor to the attraction since it opened on 1 February 2013. Paul was visiting with his partner Julie Battell and had booked the tickets as a gift to celebrate her birthday.

Paul and Julie were welcomed by Guest Experience Manager Edmund Rudder and presented with complimentary champagne and goody bags full of gifts and souvenirs, plus a lifetime membership to The View from The Shard, giving him and a guest free access to the attraction for life.

On becoming the millionth visitor, Paul commented, "I couldn't believe it, I was quite shocked! I booked the tickets about a month ago and really wasn't expecting this. It's the best birthday present for Julie. Definitely a day to remember!" Julie added, "It's been lovely. I got up at 6am to come here because I was so excited, even though the tickets weren't booked until 10.30am. At first, I thought this was all a set-up for my birthday!"

Sitting on levels 69 and 72, The View from the Shard is the highest vantage point from any building in Western Europe and the only place where it is possible to see the entire city of London at once, with 360 degree views over the UK's capital for up to 40 miles. The attraction has also opened the highest pop-up champagne bar in London open from 12pm every day on Level 69 until the end of March.

Clive Stephens, CEO of The View from The Shard, commented:"We're absolutely thrilled to have welcomed our millionth visitor this morning. This is a really special moment for us as a new attraction and we've enjoyed celebrating the occasion with Paul and Julie. The View from The Shard offers a unique experience of London from almost twice as high as any other vantage point in the city and we've been delighted with the response from guests since we opened last year. We hope that Paul and Julie have enjoyed their visit today and we look forward to welcoming many more guests to the attraction in 2014 and beyond."