FESTIVAL Place is the first UK shopping centre to earn the ShopKind Champion accreditation.

ShopKind is a retail sector campaign aimed at promoting respect for shopworkers while highlighting issues around violence and abuse against them.

Festival Place implemented ShopKind in 2020 with a range of measures put in place, including signage and staff badges, and panic buttons in all stores to ensure the security of retailers.

Basingstoke Gazette: Festival Place started implementing ShopKind in 2020Festival Place started implementing ShopKind in 2020 (Image: Supplied)

Retail and centre staff under threat can activate location tracking, allowing the security team to monitor their position within Festival Place. The introduction of a 'lone function' button also supports retailers working alone.

Festival Place business performance manager Rachel Carter, who has led the ShopKind campaign at the shopping centre, said: "The safety of our retailers and staff is vitally important to us and we are keen to spread the ShopKind message far and wide.

"We are extremely proud to become the first shopping centre ShopKind Champion in the UK and we pledge to continue highlighting the essential role of shop workers in our communities and encourage positive behaviour in all retail areas."

For more information, visit festivalplace.co.uk.