Bob De Barr, the new president of the BCSC and director of development partnerships at Land Securities, has called for a national standard of customer service competence to be introduced across the retail industry
Speaking at the council’s AGM today, De Barr said: “In terms of design, the UK shopping centre experience within our most recently completed developments such as Bullring and Bluewater is world class, but the standard of customer service in some of our stores and shopping centres is not on a par.”
De Barr is also calling for an improved interface between local authorities and other stakeholders, and developers.
The organisation will also continue its commitment to improving opportunities for retail-led regeneration in smaller towns and cities.
“Retail property is increasingly playing a leading role in revolutionising the urban design and accessibility of the UK’s towns and cities,” said De Barr.
“The industry has already brought about radical change which goes beyond physical regeneration, and has proved that it can be the catalyst for further widespread investment and economic growth.”
Also on De Barr’s agenda for 2005 is increasing the relevance of BCSC as an influence on the property industry and supporting the sector’s bid to create tax-transparent property investment vehicles.
John Bullough, retail director of Grosvenor, was also appointed as junior vice-president of the BCSC at its AGM.
References: EGi News 19/01/05
