23 Feb 2024
It was in March 2018 that Phil Corrigan finally left the sleeping village of Aston Abbotts in Buckinghamshire and moved to St Albans. He had already been manager of The Maltings Shopping Centre since September 12 1999, and was to remain in the role for almost 25 years.
But this week the local legend is gracefully entering retirement and passing the baton over to Richard Marrett, who has been operations manager at the centre since September 2022.
Working with Phil for the past two decades is centre marketing manager Liz Pearce, who accepted our request to honour the man many have come to know as ‘Mr Maltings’.
“Phil has not only been a joy to work with but has also become a dear friend.
“He has always become embedded in the local community wherever he is living, swapping from being founder and organiser of AstonBury Music Festival and editor of The Chronicle, Aston Abbotts’ parish magazine, to a real St Albans hero!
“Since moving to St Albans, Phil has been involved in everything community.
“He supported the Community Hero Awards which ran from 2015 to 2019, and was instrumental in the Maltings Art Prize, a local schools art initiative which has gained momentum since its launch in 2019. He was a member of St Albans District Chamber of Commerce and was one of the founder members of St Albans BID (Business Improvement District). Phil is currently a board director at radio station MIX 92.6, and he may become more involved in this non-profit company following his retirement. We may even hear him on air!”
Liz was happy to share some special memories of her time working with Phil, some of which he might not have wanted to see in the pages of this news magazine!
“At the St Albans Chamber of Commerce St George’s Day lunch in April 2017 both Christopher Place and The Maltings Shopping Centre bid to sponsor Guide Dogs puppies in a charity auction. Something Phil didn’t remember much about, which may have had something to do with Champagne, and it came as a bit of a shock the following day when he received a call giving him the news that he’d won a dog! He named the labrador golden retriever pup ‘Malty’ and he went on to become a fully qualified Guide Dog.
“In October 2022 Phil was treated to a Spitfire flight, courtesy of Boultbee LDN, owner of The Maltings Shopping Centre.
“He said at the time that it was ’an absolute thrill and privilege to fly out of Goodwood in this 1944 Spitfire today – I even got to fly it for a while. And you get to wear a lifebelt and a parachute!’ Needless to say, he loved it.”
Liz said Phil’s lifelong loves are music, art, history, galleries, museums, fast cars, and great food, Oh and of course – Champagne!
She elaborated: “Phil has a great passion for music, it is a massive part of his life, and always has been, nurtured initially by his late uncle and good friend, Johnny. Phil has seen countless iconic bands over the years from concerts in Hyde Park and Eel Pie Island in the ’60s and ’70s to Cadogan Hall and more recently Ronnie Scott’s, and everything in between! The enormous list of bands that Phil has enjoyed is enviable.”
Then there is Barcelona.
“Ah… Barcelona, in Phil’s own words ‘I have yet to see Barcelona without a hangover’. Phil has spent many hours feeling the thrill of the F1 racetrack in many countries but his favourite by far is Barcelona, or as he put it: ‘Warm and sunny, great F1 testing, hangover from hell!’ Phil is also a member of Goodwood and has spent many hours over many years enjoying the cars and atmosphere.”
Liz added: “Phil has remained great friends with his old school buddies, who are very special to him. The gang meet regularly and are always there for each other, no matter what. A rare and very special thing.
“His favourite restaurants are Dylan’s in St Albans and Randall & Aubin in Soho. If he’s not in one, you’ll probably find him in the other!
“Phil loves London. He grew up with the great city as his backyard and playground. He spends as much time as he can in London and as a member of the numerous museums and galleries, spends many hours immersing himself in art and culture.
“Enjoy your retirement Phil. Do more of the stuff you love: music, art, culture, food, fast cars… and fizz!”
