We don't think Steve Cotney, centre manager of Andover's Chantry shopping centre, has quite got the hang of this piracy malarkey.
To celebrate the launch of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie he dressed up as a pirate captain and rewarded his shoppers by randomly handing out £2,000 in cash from his treasure chest over the course of two days.
Accompanied by his motley crew, a giant parrot and the centre's mascot, Chantry Bear, Steve tested the scepticism of customers as he press-ganged unsuspecting visitors with his random acts of kindness.
"Half the fun was seeing the expressions on people's faces when they realised that our gifts came with no strings attached," he says.
" It was a great deal of fun. I really hope we provided a memorable and exciting experience for everyone, and that as a result our shipmates - I mean shoppers - will be sailing with us for many years to come."
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