Interest group BPA Retail therapy The reinvigorated retail and leisure group is made up of a wide variety of stakeholders and that is the secret of its success, according to its chair Tito Ponzetta PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE GROUP? For much-publicised reasons, there has been a seismic change in the fortunes of our high street, shopping centres and retail park outlets in a relatively short space of time. A perfect storm of a rapidly changing retail environment, disruption to traditional shopping patterns, the rise of online, as well as the spectre of Brexit, are all contributing to a period of change for all retailers. The group was reinvigorated recently, having been dormant for some time, as a direct result of both the BPA and the various stakeholders acknowledging the imperative of addressing the issue of effective parking in the retail and leisure sector. This latest iteration of the group is proving to be very instructive, acting as it does as a forum for open discussion. The success of the group is because of its make-up it is formed from BPA member operators, landlords and retailers and the ability to gather together for open discussion and communication between all parties. Recent meetings have seen representation from JLL, British Land, Heathrow Airport, and various shopping centres, as well as senior members of retailers, including B&Q, Halfords, Boots, Dunelm and other stakeholders. The mood of the meetings, which are held twice a year, is friendly. The group is also looking at ways of delivering best practice through innovation and new technology DESCRIBE SOME CURRENT TOPICAL ITEMS WHAT ARE THE GROUPS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS? Safety and customer experience and service how these three elements are essential in gaining customer loyalty and achieving a competitive advantage The changing role of car park management we can give comprehensive advice and guidance on the design, installation and operation of new technology Benchmarking surveys to help with understanding topics that matter Knowledge and best practice sharing to help improve sales and developing new markets Advice on enforcement service provider standards Safer Parking Scheme how to achieve a national standard for UK car parks, reduce crime and measure the safety of people and vehicles. It was an achievement to get the involvement in the group that we have, as well as the commitment from everyone to work together to set the agenda for this challenging sector. We have also secured high-calibre speakers from organisations, such as Heathrow Airport and JLL, at our meetings. FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT TITO PONZETTA AT TITO.PONZETTA@TOTALPARKING.CO.UK OR YASMIN JEFFERIES AT YASMIN.J@BRITISHPARKING.CO.UK WHAT IS THE GROUPS CORE PURPOSE? Its simply to offer a forum for all parties involved in a retail or leisure car park management scheme, to re-evaluate their relationship and consider the issues around effective car park management from a collective perspective. The group is also looking at ways of delivering best practice through innovation and new technology. BRITISHPARKING.CO.UK 19 PNDec18 pp18-19 Interest Group.indd 19 26/11/2018 16:18