Peter WalshIt has been serving shoppers in the city for 240 years and now the historic city store is celebrating that landmark anniversary with a series of celebrations.Peter Walsh

It has been serving shoppers in the city for 240 years and now the historic city store is celebrating that landmark anniversary with a series of celebrations.

Staff and shoppers at Jarrolds got into the party mood yesterdayat the sun-kissed launch of 10 days of festivities to celebrate the store's heritage.

Jazz band Vagaband serenaded shoppers from noon as they left the sun-drenched streets to visit the London Street store for the start of the party.

A spokeswoman for Jarrolds said it has been a 'fabulous' start to the celebrations with the sunshine also playing its part.

She said: 'We had all this wonderful sunshine and crowds of people outside while the band was playing. People then came in and the first ones through the door got a glass of wine and a cup cake.'

The spokeswoman said it was 'lovely' that customers and former members of staff had been coming in off the streets to wish the store well in its celebrations.

The festivities, which take place until May 30, continued today with an appearance from Richard Hughes from the Lavender House among the activities taking place in store.

And children's favourite The Gruffalo was also expected to give younger visitors to the store something to look forward to today.

Other events taking place over the coming days include Alistair Sawday signing copies of his latest book, Eat Slow Britain on Saturday, May 29.

Visitors will be able to try their hand at bunting making in the haberdashery department which has been working overtime to adorn the store for the party season.

Historic guided walks with Norwich Heritage and Regeneration Trust (HEART) will be taking place through the Norwich Lanes area on May 26 and 28.

The 100, 000 foot store, which has five floors and more than 50 departments, is also holding a special Independent's Week, until May 30, which will celebrate all things independent

In recent years, Jarrolds has been twice winner of the coveted Drapers Independent Store of the Year Award and last year won Walkers Children's Independent Bookseller for 2009. The store has recently been nominated for Independent Bookseller 2010.

In 2004 the firm was unveiled as the sponsor of the new stand at Norwich City's Carrow Road ground as part of a four-year deal which was extended in 2008. The firm agreed to extend its sponsorship of the 8,182 seat stand - the largest at Carrow Road - until 2013.

For more information about events taking place during the event call 01603 660661 or log onto www.jarrold.co.uk

Is your firm celebrating a landmark birthday in the city? Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk