Unlocking your potential

If you own or manage a retail or hospitality business, you’ll be more than aware of the industry’s rapid evolution, driven by shifting consumer expectations, technological advancements, and a growing focus on sustainability. In this dynamic environment, having a well-trained, adaptable workforce and finding the right staff quickly is essential for success.

West London Retail Skills Hub is designed to help businesses tackle these challenges, offering a valuable resource for recruiting and upskilling staff. By providing targeted training and support, the Hub helps businesses enhance their teams’ capabilities and remain competitive in an ever-changing market.

Located at Westfield London, next to John Lewis & Partners, West London Retail Skills Hub is a collaboration between West London College, Spark! and Westfield London, with support from Ethos Farm, Inspire ATA, West London Business, and the West London Chambers of Commerce.

Opened in September 2024, the Hub was developed in response to the West London Local Skills Improvement Plan, which identified a significant skills and labour shortage, as well as the need for focused training in the retail sector. By offering specialist training and recruitment services, the Hub supports businesses in addressing skills gaps, working simultaneously to upskill retail employees and provide jobseekers with opportunities to start their retail careers.

Offering a range of services, from bespoke training programmes to recruitment support, one of the Hub’s key features is its ability to design custom training sessions tailored to specific business needs. A range of pre-made options are also available, including distance learning courses that staff can study at their own pace. Courses such as Equality and Diversity, Mental Health First Aid, and Team Leading are all available to help businesses upskill their teams. Investing in staff not only improves performance and customer experience but increases retention and positively impacts workplace culture.

The Hub also functions as a recruitment platform, connecting businesses with local job-ready candidates. It can help you advertise vacancies and pre-screen applicants who have already received training, giving you access to a pipeline of talent, ready to hit the ground running.

Katie Wyle, Head of Shopping Centre Management at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the new Retail Skills Hub at Westfield London, which represents a significant step forward in redefining retail as a dynamic and rewarding career path.”

Karen Redhead OBE, CEO & Principal of West London College, added: “West London College is proud to be a key partner in the West London Retail Skills Hub. This initiative opens invaluable opportunities for the community to gain essential skills for a thriving career in retail. By working with local businesses, the Hub helps inspire economic success through high-quality education and skills development.”

Matt Lent, CEO of Spark!, highlighted how the Hub supports young people entering the retail workforce. “This resource is a game changer for both retailers and young people, connecting employers with future talent and creating employability skills and pathways into rewarding careers.”

In addition to training and recruitment service, West London Retail Skills Hub offers its three studio spaces for hire at competitive prices, ideal for workshops and meetings. These versatile spaces, in the heart of the largest shopping centre in Europe, come equipped with interactive digital boards, with flexible seating options to suit your needs. For businesses, the benefits of engaging with West London Retail Skills Hub are clear. It offers a unique opportunity to upskill staff, as well as access to a pipeline of new talent. If you’re interested in finding out more about how the Hub can support you, please visit: retailskillshub.london or get in touch via email at info@retailskillshub.london have strong links with our local BIDs and through them access to many retailers. We are very pleased to be working with West London Retail Skill Hub.”

Smith, COO, West London Chambers of Commerce