This open-air format has become the template for most new shopping centres, and in the coming year we will see it implemented on an even bigger scale in schemes like Liverpool One, Eden at High Wycombe, Cabot Circus in Bristol and Highcross Leicester. It will be fascinating to see which of those emerges as the winner at next year's awards in what will truly be a battle of the giants.

It was also pleasing to see an award going to Dransfield Properties' Marshalls Yard scheme in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. All too often it's the industry's big hitters that monopolise the awards, but this Leeds-based company looks to have delivered an excellent scheme.

This year's awards dinner was bigger than ever with 1,650 guests crammed into the Grosvenor House's Great Room. Capturing the attention of an audience that big is always going to be a challenge, but outgoing BCSC chairman John Bullough had promised a more informal awards event - "a bit more rock & roll" is how he put it. And he certainly delivered that.

The tone may have ruffled a few feathers among the BCSC's grandees but Bullough is absolutely right in his analysis that the organisation risks undoing the massive strides forward which it has made in recent years unless it can attract new blood. Making the organisation more relevant to a younger membership may well be the greatest legacy of his presidency.

As this is the final issue of 2007 can I thank you for supporting Shopping Centre this year and wish you a peaceful Christmas. And let's hope the prophets of economic doom are proved wrong in 2008.

Graham Parker, Editor

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend