Shopping CentresAs the Blanchardstown shopping centre prepares to celebrate its 10th year in operation, it has been shortlisted for two awards, one from the industry and another from consumers.
The shopping centre opened in October 1996 with anchors Dunnes Stores and Roches Stores. It is owned and developed by Green Property Company.
It has grown over the past decade with the addition of its Red Mall and Fashion City which introduced high street stores, such as Marks and Spencer and Penneys.
The Blanchardstown shopping centre now offers 110,000sq m (1,184,029sq ft) of retail space.
It has undoubtedly become a popular destination for Ireland's shopping public.
Footfall levels have reached a remarkable 300,000 visitors a week and the centre's annual retail turnover now stands at about €1,000 million.
The centre has been nominated for the prestigious FBD CREST shopping centre of the year award following a recent review of shopping centre productivity.
This review was conducted by CREST Retail Excellence Ireland.
In addition, the shopping centre has also been shortlisted in the inaugural Infant Magazine Parents' Choice Awards 2006, being shortlisted in the category "child-friendly shopping centre".
These two accolades follow its selection as the first shopping centre in Ireland to be awarded the ISO 9001:2000 standard for shopping centre management.
The CREST annual shopping centre productivity review measures the cost efficiencies of shopping centres at retail tenant level. It focuses on five key criteria: retail rents; service charges; footfall; occupancy rates; and marketing support.
The report placed Blanchardstown amongst the top three shopping centres in Ireland and placing it on the shopping centre of the year list. The winner will be announced on November 18th.
Its Infant Magazine distinction came after the centre introduced its "child safe zone" safety system earlier this year.
The system is designed to help re-unite a lost child with its family through a direct link to the centre's CCTV security control room. The company describes it as a "key safety initiative" and helped it win a nomination for the award, which was announced last week.
"Being recognised by both industry peers and consumers is always one of the best accolades a shopping centre can receive," said the centre's general manager, Michael O'Hagan.
"Over the last decade we have continuously looked at ways in which we can enhance the shopping experience for our customers, so it is encouraging to receive recognition for the efforts as we approach our 10th anniversary celebrations this October."
