BCSC - General - In the Spotlight

Date: 01 Mar 2006

Shopping centre management is an increasingly demanding job that is now recognised as providing a primary partnership between shopping centres and communities, according to key speakers at a national gathering of shopping centre and asset managers.

More than 650 shopping centre executives from across the country have gathered in Edinburgh for a three-day conference entitled "In the Spotlight". The Conference is hosted by retail property organisation BCSC in association with The College of Estate Management. Lead sponsors include British Land, DTZ and Workman Retail.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference BCSC President John Strachan said:

"The role that shopping centre executives play in the success of their communities has grown considerably in the past decade. It used to be that a shopping centre was its own entity - that is no longer the case. Shopping centre executives across the country are often involved at the very heart of community decision-making and are playing key roles as drivers of community regeneration."

Strachan, who is global head of retail for Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker also said:

"Partnerships across all levels are now the focus for the retail property industry. Those asset managing retail destinations are therefore in prime enabling roles for partnerships between the public and private sector and the shopping centre and its surrounding community."

Jo Swinson, MP for East Dunbartonshire, who provided a political backdrop for the Conference, also highlighted the pivotal role of a managed retail destination within a community.

"Shopping centres can benefit their communities in numerous ways, not just by bringing commerce to an area, but by hosting local events and becoming a focal point in the community," she said. "By developing good working relationships with politicians at local and national levels, shopping centre executives will find they can more readily further the goal of putting shopping centres at the heart of communities."

Comments Co-Chair Karen Saunders of Land Securities:
"The roles of the asset manager and the centre manager are under scrutiny as never before and the annual Centre Management Conference provides a chance for issues to be discussed and new thinking to emerge on ways of tackling those issues."

Comments Joint Conference Chair Alan Thornton of Donaldsons:

"The modern centre manager is increasingly called upon to take centre stage in front of an often critical audience comprising tenants, retailers, owners and agencies. The aim of the Conference is to help provide information and new thinking to help managers to maximise their performance."

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