Excellent shopping attracts 2.1m visitors to region

Nov 6 2007 By The Journal

NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD’S sheer variety and quality of shops rivals anywhere else in the country.

From some of the biggest shopping centres in Europe with excellent transport links and parking facilities to smaller, independent boutiques.

If it's retail heaven that you're after, then look no further.

Combine this with an array of excellent venues, professional events services staff, an unrivalled choice of entertainments, and it’s easy to see why NewcastleGateshead was chosen as the venue for the annual BCSC conference.

The massive trading event will be hitting our streets in November and with over 3,000 delegates expected, it looks set to be the largest commercial conference to be held in the region.

BCSC event organisers were attracted to the region through the presentation of an outstanding bid which was the result of a working partnership led by NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau together with The Sage Gateshead and Gateshead Council, and investment from One NorthEast and TyneWear Partnership.

The added value of the ‘can do’ attitude and the professionalism of all involved helped to beat off stiff competition from other leading UK destinations.

Over the years Newcastle Gateshead has been at the cutting edge of retail development.

When Bainbridge opened it doors, it made us the home of the first-ever department store.

There was the development of Eldon Square, which at the time of completion in 1976 was one of the largest city centre shopping malls around.

A few years later, along came the MetroCentre which has regained its title of the Europe’s largest shopping centre, thanks to the construction of the new Red Mall.

The shopping centre is also celebrating its 21st birthday this year.

These developments certainly put us on the map the in eyes of both national and international retail property developers, and hosting the BCSC conference in the region is a fitting celebration of the retail success we have experienced.

The BCSC event will attract high numbers of key influencers in the retail property sector and the timing couldn’t be better for the region.

Major shopping areas such as Eldon Square, Pilgrim Street and the MetroCentre are all undergoing major developments which will provide an excellent platform to showcase the potential for further investment opportunities available to retail developers.

NewcastleGateshead’s excellent shopping facilities attract over 2.1m people to the region each year.

It is the second most popular activity after eating out and accounts for £230m of the £1.1bn tourism spend in our area.

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Conference facts

THIS year, the event will focus on how the retail property industry – including shopping centres, outlet malls, retail parks and managed retail destinations – affects people and their lives.

It will also focus on the positive impact that the industry can have on communities.

Conference organisers expect delegate numbers of about 3,000.

Previous conferences have been held in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Belfast.

A major line-up of speakers will inspire thoughts and feedback, inviting debate as they investigate the impact of the ever-changing retail landscape on the economy, the community and the environment, in the UK and worldwide.

Keynote speakers at the 2007 conference are due to include: Lord (Sebastian) Coe, Sir Bob Geldof and the global explorer Pen Hadow.

Other speakers include Julia Cleverdon, chief executive of Business in the Community; Wayne Hemingway, designer and co-founder of fashion label Red or Dead; Chris Sanderson, co-founder of The Future Laboratory; Patrick Hanly, commercial director of Harvey Nichols; Ben Page, director of Mori Social Research Institute; and John Bucksbaum, chief executive of General Growth Properties Inc and immediate past chairman of the International Council of Shopping Centres.

Alongside the conference BCSC will once again host a popular showcase exhibition in a purpose-built environment next to The Sage Gateshead.

This year’s Showcase, which is 90% sold out, will attract more than 90 retailers, owners, developers, agents, advisers, consultants and other exhibiting groups.

Conference delegates have the option to join one of three study tours to Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland and also have the option to participate in the BCSC golf tournament.

Main sponsors include Grosvenor (conference), Multi-Development Corporation (showcase) and Multiplex (social events programme).

Retail property organisation BCSC was founded in 1983. Its 3,000-strong membership comprises retailers, developers, owners, agents, architects, councils and others with an interest in the managed retail environment.