Westfield claims almost £24m in 'social value' for its UK malls last year
Its latest Social Value Impact Report, which focuses on the scale and scope of social investment (including job creation, youth engagement, biodiversity and community-led initiatives) covers three of its key London malls.
Westfield Stratford City recorded the highest year-on-year increase in social value across the UK portfolio, rising by £3.6 million to reach £12.5 million in 2024. Community investment more than doubled to £6.7 million, bolstered by initiatives such as The Felix Project, which redistributed 2.6 million meals and prevented 1,430 tonnes of CO₂e from going to waste across the UK.
Other highlights include £13,000 in bursaries for Newham students through the Birkbeck Student Fund and the Newham Music Hub welcoming over 10,000 visitors. Volunteering hours rose by nearly 50%, 'reflecting deeper local community engagement'.
Westfield London social value contribution increased from £9.8 million in 2023 to £10.5 million in 2024, a 7% increase year-on-year. The report said local employment rose by more than 10% in 2024, reflecting strong job growth in the area, with work opportunities increasing by 60%, and community investment nearly doubling.
Other key contributors include West London Retail Skills Hub which, since its launch, has engaged 126 employers, and West Youth Zone, which recorded 22,853 visits in its first year, offering affordable, high-impact programmes to over 2,400 young people.
In its first year of reporting, Centrale & Whitgift Shopping Centres in Croydon generated £813,241 in social value. Key milestones included the unveiling of the Elianne Andam Memorial Mural, created in partnership with local organisations, and the impactful 'Cut It Out' football match at Crystal Palace — both aimed at promoting youth safety and community cohesion. Looking ahead, the centre plans to expand its reporting scope in 2025 to capture social value generated through its supply chain.
Jacinta Rowsell, managing director, Customer & Retail Operations, Northern Europe, URW, said: 'The remarkable growth in social value across our UK centres highlights the transformative impact of sustained community investment, a core driver of our Better Places strategy.
'From job creation and youth engagement to environmental initiatives, these efforts reflect our commitment to fostering thriving, resilient communities. As we continue to expand our programmes, we remain dedicated to driving meaningful change that benefits both people and the planet.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
23-06-2025
- Fashion Network
Repair specialist SOJO makes move into France, adds two permanent hubs in London
It marks SOJO's permanent presence at both Westfield centres and 'introduces a modern, accessible solution for clothing repairs and alterations, right in the heart of the high street'. Shoppers at the two malls can visit the firm's Fix & Fit workshop for a free consultation, 'where expert tailors are on hand to take care of all alterations. Finished items can be collected in person or delivered to their door'. The company also continues to offer its services online. SOJO said that insights from Westfield's latest How We Shop: From Play To Purpose report reveal that 45% of Boomers and 31% of UK women are actively seeking more opportunities to repair or refill products – 'a clear sign of shifting values away from fast fashion and towards long-lasting, conscious consumption'. Katie Wyle, Director of Shopping Centre Management, Northern Europe at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: 'We're proud to be bringing SOJO to both of our centres – a move that reflects exactly what our customers are asking for: more sustainable, service-led retail experiences… Fix & Fit offers a smart and stylish solution to fashion longevity, perfectly aligned with Westfield's commitment to shaping a more conscious retail future. With 59% of UK consumers seeking more reuse and repair options over the next five years, this partnership is both timely and essential.'
Fashion Network
23-06-2025
- Fashion Network
Repair specialist SOJO makes move into France, adds two permanent hubs in London
It marks SOJO's permanent presence at both Westfield centres and 'introduces a modern, accessible solution for clothing repairs and alterations, right in the heart of the high street'. Shoppers at the two malls can visit the firm's Fix & Fit workshop for a free consultation, 'where expert tailors are on hand to take care of all alterations. Finished items can be collected in person or delivered to their door'. The company also continues to offer its services online. SOJO said that insights from Westfield's latest How We Shop: From Play To Purpose report reveal that 45% of Boomers and 31% of UK women are actively seeking more opportunities to repair or refill products – 'a clear sign of shifting values away from fast fashion and towards long-lasting, conscious consumption'. Katie Wyle, Director of Shopping Centre Management, Northern Europe at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: 'We're proud to be bringing SOJO to both of our centres – a move that reflects exactly what our customers are asking for: more sustainable, service-led retail experiences… Fix & Fit offers a smart and stylish solution to fashion longevity, perfectly aligned with Westfield's commitment to shaping a more conscious retail future. With 59% of UK consumers seeking more reuse and repair options over the next five years, this partnership is both timely and essential.'
Fashion Network
23-06-2025
- Fashion Network
Repair specialist SOJO makes move into France, adds two permanent hubs in London
SOJO, the repair specialist that's partnered with a number of major names in the UK, is continuing its expansion via a move into the French market as legislation there means France is one of the most sustainability-focused retail markets globally. It's also boosting its physical presence in the UK with permanent hubs at both Westfield malls in London. First, France. It opens its first non-UK location at Westfield's Les 4 Temps shopping centre in Paris soon, the news coming just 18 months after its very first permanent location opened in London's Selfridges. The four-year-old business, which was founded by CEO Josephine Philips, has been building steadily and has partnered with M&S, Paul Smith, Margate Howell, Ganni, Reiss, Nobody's Child and Arket, among others, in its domestic market. While brand partnerships haven't yet been developed in France, it's clear that the French market is one of the most sympathetic to repair businesses and something of a no-brainer when choosing a first international market to move into. And given SOJO's close Westfield links, opening in a Westfield mall in Paris also makes sense. As mentioned, French legislation has made the country a trailblazer in the drive for sustainability in the retail market and that includes mandating manufacturers to make products repairable and subsidies for repairs of clothing and footwear. This is clearly important given that the unsubsidised cost of repair can often be prohibitive and can mean new fast-fashion items are a cheaper alternative. Meanwhile, looking back at its core UK market, the company also said on Monday that it's 'set to redefine the fashion experience' with the launch of SOJO 'Fix & Fit'. This is 'an innovative repair and alterations service opening at both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City on 25 June. It marks SOJO's permanent presence at both Westfield centres and 'introduces a modern, accessible solution for clothing repairs and alterations, right in the heart of the high street'. Shoppers at the two malls can visit the firm's Fix & Fit workshop for a free consultation, 'where expert tailors are on hand to take care of all alterations. Finished items can be collected in person or delivered to their door'. The company also continues to offer its services online. SOJO said that insights from Westfield's latest How We Shop: From Play To Purpose report reveal that 45% of Boomers and 31% of UK women are actively seeking more opportunities to repair or refill products – 'a clear sign of shifting values away from fast fashion and towards long-lasting, conscious consumption'. Katie Wyle, Director of Shopping Centre Management, Northern Europe at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: 'We're proud to be bringing SOJO to both of our centres – a move that reflects exactly what our customers are asking for: more sustainable, service-led retail experiences… Fix & Fit offers a smart and stylish solution to fashion longevity, perfectly aligned with Westfield's commitment to shaping a more conscious retail future. With 59% of UK consumers seeking more reuse and repair options over the next five years, this partnership is both timely and essential.'
