Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth has published its first Impact Report which outlines how the shopping centre has contributed to the economic, social and environmental success of the South West London community.

The retail and leisure destination is home to more than 80 retailers which includes the UK high street’s first electric, multi-level go-kart track at interactive entertainment and leisure space, Gravity, as well as XO Bikes, a bike shop which aims to break the cycle of re-offending by creating jobs for people who have been in the prison system.

As a major part of the Wandsworth community, the centre’s positive impact continues to be felt beyond just its role as a shopping and leisure destination – in the last 12 months, Southside has created £790,000 in social value for the local community in Wandsworth.

Southside continues to play an active role in helping shape a strong local economy – it employs more than 1,300 people across its retail and leisure facilities, whilst working closely with Wandsworth Borough Council’s recruitment service Work Match to ensure employment is targeted within the local area and delivers inclusive and equal opportunities for the local public.

As part of the centre’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, empowering local initiatives and fostering positive change in the area – funded by Southside’s co-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 the Diverse Leaders Network, a community-driven platform promoting inclusive and diverse representation in leadership positions.

Among the centre’s commitments to reducing the impact it has on the environment, Southside has joined more than 1,000 businesses worldwide and committed to become a net zero carbon business by 2040. Initiatives include optimising heating, ventilation, and air condition systems with the latest self-adaptive technology, replacing all fluorescent lighting with LED and implementing energy efficiency projects within public spaces.

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 destination1. Overall footfall for sustainable retail destinations could see a 6% increase, leading to a potential boost of up to £100m for local economies.

Pieter Strömbeck, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre, said: “As a shopping centre, 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.”