Page 20 Building and operating sustainable shops


Over 20% of new build construction materials will come from recycled sources


Sustainable construction programme
Our Sustainable Construction Framework, developed with Forum for the Future and launched in February 2007, ensures that each building project now starts with a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) drawn up before the submission of any planning application. This ensures that sustainability principles are adopted in the planning, design, construction and operation phase of every building and refurbishment project.


The SAP provides:
> a vision for the building, reflecting our sustainable construction policy and principles
> a summary of the key sustainability impacts of the proposed building
> a set of actions explaining how the impacts will be addressed
> sustainability performance targets against which the project will be measured.

We recognise that these objectives can't be achieved alone and the framework is therefore dependent on a partnership approach with local authorities, developers, contractors, councils and local residents all buying into the same aims.

The Partnership has joined property developers, mall owners and retailers in signing up to the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) Sustainability Charter, which outlines commitments designed to address the energy, waste, water and community impacts of shopping centres.


Fitter fixtures
As an extension to the Sustainable Construction Framework, we are working to identify ways to improve the sustainability impacts of the design and construction of interior fixtures and fittings for all shops across the Partnership. This major project covers areas such as shelving units and signage, which are being designed to be fully dismantled and deconstructed so that the individual materials can be recycled.

For example, magnetic hanging boards are being replaced with recyclable card-based signs and their messaging will be more generic. This will mean they will need replacing less often, thereby reducing the volume of material we use and dispose of.

"The successful adoption of the Sustainable Construction Framework clearly demonstrates an appetite within the Partnership to deliver more sustainable stores. Building on this framework, we are currently working with designers within both Waitrose and John Lewis to finalise a set of sustainable design principles that everyone can sign up to. These will act as a stimulus for innovation and creative thinking about store interiors, ensuring sustainability is placed at the heart of the Partnership's design and fit-out decisions."
Martin Hunt Head of Built Environment, Forum for the Future


Market town formats
Following extensive customer research, our new market town format has been designed to be a 'fresh shop at the heart of the community', meeting the needs of customers wanting more local food. They stock more local lines, give them more prominence, and provide food maps of producers in the local area, while Partners have become more engaged with local suppliers by sharing sales information and placing orders. The new format is also increasing our visibility in the local community, with a 'WelcomeWall' in the entrance for customers to share information about local events, recycling facilities (where possible), lockable cycle racks and small cycle trailers available for loan.


(Picture of a laptop computer)

The Partnership has joined the Environmental IT Leadership Team, a cross-industry user group aiming to develop more sustainable IT strategies.