White Rose Shopping Centre and Trinity Leeds published their first Impact Reports on Thursday (30 November 2023) which outline how the shopping centres have contributed to the economic, social and environmental success of the Leeds community.
The retail and leisure destinations are home to more than 220 retailers and restaurants across the two sites, which include the first flagship M&S in the north of England at White Rose, creating 230 new job opportunities this year. Trinity Leeds is home to Trinity Kitchen, a unique mix of permanent and rotating food vendors, and will soon be welcoming a new 46,000 sq foot flagship Zara store, relocated from elsewhere in Leeds to a prime location at the centre – following brands including Levi, Space NK, and Nespresso.
As a major part of the Leeds community, the centres’ positive impact continues to be felt beyond just their role as shopping and leisure destinations – the combined total economic contribution across both centres is £175 million.
White Rose and Trinity Leeds continue to play an active role in helping shape a strong local economy – White Rose employs 3,162 people across its retail and leisure facilities while Trinity Leeds employs more than 1,421.
As part of the centres’ ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, empowering local initiatives and fostering positive change in the area – funded by Trinity Leeds and White Rose’s owner, Landsec – the retail destination has recently launched Landsec Futures, a £20m social impact fund which is dedicated to enhancing social value to the communities it serves.
Alongside bursaries for students in higher education, internships and community grants, the Landsec Futures initiative will also deliver three-year employability partnerships with local charities, including working alongside Ahead Partnership, who are leading the charge in supporting people from underrepresented backgrounds into employment, and Resurgo’s Spear Leeds Programme which offers a year of employability coaching, from job application support to interview prep and networking events.
Among the centres’ commitments to reducing their impact on the environment, White Rose and Trinity Leeds have joined more than 1,000 businesses worldwide and committed to become a net zero carbon business by 2040. Initiatives include one of the largest solar panel installations at any shopping centre in the UK at White Rose, achieving an energy intensity reduction of 45% since 2019, and 160 solar panels at Trinity Leeds achieving an energy intensity reduction of 23%.
What’s more, new research from Landsec revealed that over the course of 10 years, brands in a sustainable retail destination could see revenues increase by up to 13%, compared to those in a traditional retail destination. Overall footfall for sustainable retail destinations could see a 6% increase, leading to a potential boost of up to £100m for local economies.
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds and White Rose, said:
“At both shopping centres, we constantly strive to ensure we deliver a sustainable future which meets our customers’ expectations and create added value for our local community, customers, colleagues, and partners.
“Our purpose sits at the heart of everything we do, in the way we create sustainable places, realise potential and serve a vibrant community.”
To view the full Landsec Impact Report, please visit: landsec.com/impact-report-2022
This post is based on a press release issued on behalf of White Rose Shopping Centre
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