Europa ensures smooth opening at Leicester's new shopping centre

08 September 2008

Europa has doubled the size of its team to ensure the Highcross shopping centre in Leicester city centre was running smoothly ready for its launch last week (4 September 2008).

Europa was appointed by Hammerson to deliver cleaning and environmental FM services for the 1.2 million sq ft prestigious development. It ran the legacy FM service contract for the existing Shires Shopping Centre which forms part of the new Highcross development.

It now has twice the team to continue delivering services to the new centre, which comprise of mall cleaning, waste management, pest control, high level cleaning, and car parks maintenance. Europa will also manage waste disposal services for retailers, including on site collections, recycling and off site disposal. David Pollock, managing director of Europa, says:

“This is an ambitious and unique retail development and we are delighted to be working in the spirit of partnership with Highcross to perform the necessary change management and the resulting high levels of support services. The contract will be lead by Tim Bloomer, environmental services manager, who works as part of the Highcross Centre Management team, alongside the client.”

The Shires operated as a city centre shopping destination for some 18 years. For the last two years it has been going through a process of redevelopment, effectively doubling in size with a major mall extension, new John Lewis department store, 15 new restaurants & cafes, a Cinema de Lux, new 2,000 space multi-storey car park, external pedestrian areas and 2,000 new jobs for Leicester.

Jo Tallack, deputy general manager for the new Highcross development that opened on 4 September, adds:
“Europa is employed as an intelligent service partner to provide solutions for non core services. We continued our relationship because Europa’s approach is efficient and effective, with industry best practice, and continual innovation. Tim advises on changes and updates within the waste industry, helps push forward initiatives to minimise waste and recycling and, wherever possible, help us make cost savings. As one of the faces of in our shopping centre malls, Europa provide a team that deliver exceptional customer service, so we all appear welcoming to shoppers and retailers alike.”