Retail property organization BCSC has presented cheques for £12,500 (approx. €16,716) each to two charities as part of the launch of its 2007 Conference & Retail Showcase taking place in Gateshead and Newcastle, United Kingdom, from 5-7 November 2007.
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FLTR: John Bullough (Retail Director,
Grosvenor and BCSC President), Alan
Shearer, Peter Drummond (BCSC
Conference Chairman) and Brendan
Foster.
Representatives from WaterAid and CLIC Sargent were both presented cheques by Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle football star and Michael Green, chief executive of BCSC, at a special event for the trade Conference which brings retailers together with the retail destination industry.
Also in attendance at the Local Heroes Tea Party, which was organised by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Gateshead Council were British Olympic athletes Brendan Foster and Jonathan Edwards.
More than 3,000 retailers and retail destination executives are in Newcastle for the three-day conference which is looking at the impact that shopping centers and other retail destinations have as the social and economic engine rooms of their respective communities. In addition to the Conference & Showcase is featuring around 100 exhibitors including British Land, Sainsbury & Tesco, among others.
Commenting Alan Shearer said, "I am delighted to be here today to present these cheques to Wateraid Works and CLIC Sargent. Newcastle and Gateshead enjoy a growing international reputation as a place to visit and do business and it's great to welcome retail property organisation BCSC here and to help them support these good causes."
Michael Green, Chief Executive of BCSC, commented, "These are two great charities and do amazing work in different parts of the world. The retail property industry is gathered here to hear not only about new retailer formats but to better understand the key role that shopping centres and retail destinations play as both economic and social hubs. We are delighted to be able to give something back to community as part of our social commitment and engagement."
"We are delighted to be supporting as we have always done worthwhile charities such as Click and WaterAid who are out to make a difference."
Following the presentation, Sir John Hall, property developer in the North East and former chairman of Newcastle United Football Club, formally opened the event by cutting the ribbon to the entrance of the Showcase. The 5,500 m² temporary exhibition space has been built on the Mill Street Car Park adjacent to the Sage and is the largest one in the city's history.
Source: Halogen
