Pavilions Shopping Centre | CSR AWARDS 2013
From Shopping to Soccer Swords Pavilions kicks off sport participation as part of its CSR programme.
S
words Pavilions Shopping Centre opened in May 2001 and is one of Ireland’s best known and most visited retail developments. Swords Pavilions is anchored by Dunnes Stores, Superquinn, TK Maxx, Argos, Movies @ Swords and Zara. With the opening of high profile and popular stores such as River Island, Next, Schuh, Jane Norman, extended Boots and Lifestyle Sports and the newly opening Kilkenny Shop, Swords Pavilions is north Dublin’s premier shopping centre with over 100 great shops, restaurants and cafes as well as the 11 screen Movies@Swords cinema all under one roof. “Swords Pavilions achieve a record numbers of visitors to the centre and the centre’s standing amongst its peers puts it in the spotlight that both international and indigenous retail brands are expressing an interest in becoming part of the Pavilions success story,” says Ian Hunter, Centre Director.
Zero to landfill 2013 project. We have also opened up our centre to charity organisations to create awareness of their causes through which they have raised over a100,000 in 2012 for their respective causes.
CSR at Pavilions
Community
The Pavilions Shopping Centre CSR programme begins with and is driven by the management team. This senior level commitment is invaluable for helping make CSR a focal point for our business. Our CSR programme is comprised of our five pillar areas: corporate governance, the environment, people, health and safety, and community/ charitable activities. We have worked diligently to make responsible business practices more central to our operations and to incorporate feedback from our stakeholders more fully into our CSR targets and future plans. This is exemplified in a number of areas such as energy conservation through investment and enhanced environmental management systems, health and safety training programmes and our
Community is a key area for us as not only is it where we do business but also where some of our 1,700 staff of the centre live. The ‘Road to Rio’ program which was set up in conjunction with the Football Association of Ireland and Fingal County Council aims to provide a fun, safe and enjoyable environment for boys and girls aged between 7- 12 years. The program links the World Cup of 2014 to be held in Brazil with grassroots soccer. The program is specifically aimed at those that want to play soccer but may not necessarily want to join a football club. Its format of street soccer - 3v3 or 4v4 - gives a lot of ownership back to the kids where teams are formed randomly and extra points for good sportsmanship are awarded. On the final week, details of the local club are issued for those seeking
70 Q3 2013 | InBusiness
“We have worked diligently to make responsible business practices more central to our operations and to incorporate feedback from our stakeholders more fully into our CSR targets and future plans.” this information. The second part of the program is linked to local schools. The ‘Road to Rio’ after school program offers the opportunity to boys and girls to stay back after school to increase their active lifestyle and health and well-being. The girls-only after schools programmes have been very well received and have been instrumental in forming girls only teams and training groups with local clubs. In summary our main objectives were: • Encouraging sport participation of both girls and boys • Non-competitive element • Development of social skills • Soccer skill base covered all levels • Maximising players’ time with a ball • Fun element brought into the schools programme “Most important, however, is that they have respect for themselves and others. This will see approx. 10,000 kids get involved in sport within Fingal in two years which we are very proud to have been involved in,” Hunter concludes.