8 minute read
Richard Burge
Dubai congress puts
London in the spotlight
Recently Richard Burge was busy attending the 12th World Chambers Congress in Dubai, a high-profile, three-day event that brought together Chamber and business heads, as well as representatives from international organisations and governments.
In convening the globe’s most prominent leaders and brightest minds, the congress aimed to spur change through dialogue and cooperation to create a more meaningful and prosperous future for individuals and businesses. More than 1,200 delegates from over 100 countries attended to connect with Chambers and business leaders, promote trade and investment opportunities, and gain insights into some of today’s most significant global issues.
On the face of it, the congress was the ideal forum for Richard to promote London as a marquee international destination – a key part of his role as CEO of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Through a new initiative, LCCI International, he aims to forge new connections with Chambers of Commerce and their members in overseas cities. Richards says: “We’ve already identified around 30 major cities across the world. We’d like to build relationships with the relevant Chamber in those cities and connect their members with members of London Chambers. “We have a process in place whereby we’ll agree memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with each Chamber and then embark on a three-year engagement plan with each of these cities. Ideally, we want 30 MOUs in place within the next 18 months, although that depends on certain political and economic factors outside of our control. “We’re looking to engage with cities that not only play a role within the economy in their own country, but also play a role in other countries’ economies. We’re looking for partners who have a global outlook and think outside the dynamics of their own locality.” Richard says that his job is made easier by the fact that London already holds a strong appeal to many individuals and businesses across the globe. This is evidenced, for example, by London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s recent appointment as the global chair of C40 cities. C40 cities is a global network of almost 100 megacities committed to addressing climate change. Collectively, the network represents more than 700 million people and covers a quarter of the global economy. “Despite the economic problems of recent years, London’s influence is still strong,” says Richard. “London was the founding city of C40 and has always been a vital member of the network. Sadiq’s appointment gives him a more apolitical platform for promoting
London as an international destination, one that champions a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.” Although London is held in high regard by many, there are still several challenges to negotiate as the world gradually emerges from the pandemic. Richards says: “We’re already seeing the long-term impact of Brexit and it’s uncertain how this will play out. Trade barriers will need to be overcome and there will be a lot of future negotiations between Britain and other countries. We’re also suffering from a lack of skills in certain industries – a problem that has been exacerbated by foreign workers leaving London and returning to their home countries.” Undoubtedly Chambers of Commerce have role to play in building international relationships in a post-COVID world. “The strength of our local Chambers comes from their membership,” says Richard. “It’s up to the London Chambers to promote the skills, strengths and abilities of their members to Chambers locally and in overseas countries. “It’s important to build relationships for the long run. Trade relationships seem to have become very transactional, with each party looking to get more out of the partnership than the others. This is not the right way to go about it. In my experience, long-term relationships work much more productively for everyone involved.” Business Connexions | 7
Southside is celebrating its 50th birthday this year and to celebrate we’ll be granting 50 of our customers Christmas wishes.
Planning a visit to Southside this festive season? Well you’re in for a treat! Visit the large Christmas display in front of Waitrose and pick up a wish card. Whilst you’re out shopping at Southside and see something you’d love to have on your Christmas list from one of our stores, write it down and pop it into the wish mailbox (located in front of Waitrose). Your wish may just come true!
Wishes will be granted everyday leading up to Christmas with the last wish being granted on Christmas Eve. Please make sure you fill out all details on the wish form so we can easily contact you.
Terms and conditions Wish cards will be selected at random and only 50 wishes can be granted. Wish cards must only include items available at Southside stores, where prizes are not in stock, the winner will be asked to select an alternative prize of the same value.
SPOTLIGHT ON
Southside Shopping Centre
QHow do you view the retail
landscape in Wandsworth now as we navigate the Coronavirus pandemic?
It is challenging. The coronavirus pandemic threw Britain’s High Streets into crisis, Wandsworth and Southside included. We witnessed a fair few in store closures and saw footfall come to a complete halt during the worst of it. However, it is not all doom and gloom, Southside became a place of refuge for many charities and foodbanks who utilised our empty shop units to store donations and prepare food parcels. Stores like Waitrose, Poundland and Specsavers opened every day and provided essential services to the community. It has been a challenge getting the pre pandemic footfall numbers back through the door, but the centre has been thriving since the summer months and we are seeing positive monthly growth. At the start of the lockdown easing a lot of customers were still sceptical about public places but we’re happy to see customers are out and about and that they see Southside as a safe place to shop. None of which would have been possible without our retailers coming back stronger than ever. We are seeing some real positive performers out there and it seems to directly correlate with good Store Managers and stores who are able to deliver great customer service. People were locked up in their homes for a long time, they want to be out, and they want quality human interaction and experiences wherever they go.
QHow have Southside retailers
adapted and survived in this challenging environment?
They have adapted their focus. The pandemic saw everyone at home and shopping online mostly. We saw retailers lacking an omnichannel presence close their physical stores and unable to reopen. It is clear that retailers cannot only rely on Physical stores or online stores, it must be comprehensive approach across channels including Ship from Store and Click & Collect services. These extra digital activities are vital and allows retailers to optimise labour. To enhance this offering, we are currently looking at ways to incorporate a click and collect hub at Southside. Giving customers somewhere local to collect their parcels and an extra reason to visit us.
Once we get the customers through the doors, the goal, remains as before, to thrill customers by delivering the best possible brand experience and service and one is currently doing that better that Gravity Active Entertainment. QTell us about Gravity Active
Entertainment
Gravity Active Entertainment opened their doors to the public on Saturday 14th August. By day, the venue, which is set over four floors covering over 80,000sq, is the perfect experience for the family or a great place to host a party. By night they dim the lights, speed up the E-karts, ramp up the music and let the adults take over. It is a perfect place to meet friends or host a corporate event. There really is no need to leave. Gravity and partners Landsec and Invesco invested a lot into the space - a pilot space that will hopefully come to shape other Gravity openings in London in coming years. On the venue’s opening weekend, Gravity welcomed over 15,000 guests into the space! As well as filling a huge void space on our High Street with an immersive active space, Gravity has provided 200 full and part-time jobs - with more than 300 workers, contractors and companies involved ahead of its launch. We are very excited for Gravity and will continue to support them as they establish the brand in London and bring unique entertainment back onto our high streets. QWith a global focus to tackle
climate change, it is clear that every industry has a part to play in making sure they are running sustainable operations. How does Southside play its part?
We work hard to embed sustainability in everything we do, through our solar panels and rainwater harvesting system we have made tremendous improvements to how we are using natural resources. We are not only minimising our impact on the environment, but we are also improving our resilience as a business and lowering our operational costs. A major waste and recycling campaign led by Centre Manager Pieter Strombeck, unveiled a raft of new measures to boost recycling and cut waste. With our large number of retailers and food and leisure outlets, making the necessary changes was operationally challenging. However, with the help of industry specialist Grundon Waste Management our retailers have made a concerted effort to make this work and we are proud to say we are currently at a recycling rate of 65%.
