St David’s Cardiff Launches Their First Economic, Social and Environmental Impact Report

Monday, 27 November 2023 · St David’s Cardiff

£690,000 in social value created for local community. 

St David’s Dewi Sant Cardiff has today published its first Impact Report which outlines how the shopping centre has contributed to the economic, social and environmental success of the South Wales community.

The retail and leisure destination is home to more than 180 retailers and restaurants which includes Wales’ first Gaucho steakhouse, sustainable shopping store Ethical Boutique which trains those looking to enter the hospitality industry through its Conscious Coffee programme, plus a variety of national and independent brands.

As a major part of the Cardiff community, the centre’s positive impact continues to be felt beyond just its role as a shopping and leisure destination – since 2019, St David’s has created £690,000 in social value for the local community in Cardiff.

St David’s continues to play an active role in helping shape a strong local economy – it employs more than 1,553 people across its retail and leisure facilities.

As part of the centre’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, empowering local initiatives and fostering positive change in the area – funded by St David’s owner, Landsec – the retail destination has recently launched Landsec Futures, a £20m social impact fund which is dedicated to enhancing social value to the communities it serves.

Alongside bursaries for students in higher education, internships and community grants, the Landsec Futures initiative will also deliver three-year employability partnerships with local charities, including programmes with Ahead Partnership to support people from underrepresented backgrounds into employment, and with Safe Foundation to provide development opportunities helping people enter the world of work. To date, more than 1,300 individuals have been supported through St David’s education and employment programmes.

Among the centre’s commitments to reducing the impact it has on the environment, St David’s has joined more than 1,000 businesses worldwide and committed to become a net zero carbon business by 2040 and has already achieved an energy intensity reduction of 4% since 2019. Initiatives include energy-efficient lighting systems, waste management programs, and water conservation measures. Additionally, 100% of the centre’s electricity is from renewable sources.

What’s more, new research from Landsec revealed that over the course of 10 years, brands in a sustainable retail destination could see revenues increase by up to 13%, compared to those in a traditional retail destination1. Overall footfall for sustainable retail destinations could see a 6% increase, leading to a potential boost of up to £100m for local economies.

Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s, said: “As a shopping centre, we constantly strive to ensure we deliver a sustainable future which meets our customers’ expectations and create added value for our local community, customers, colleagues, and partners.

“Our purpose sits at the heart of everything we do, in the way we create sustainable places, realise potential and serve a vibrant community.”