Lynette Howgate scoops industry award for Middleton Shopping Centre

Lynette Howgate, Middleton Shopping Centre manager, with her award

The work of Lynette Howgate, manager of Middleton Shopping Centre, has been recognised at the 2018 Sceptre Awards in a presentation at London’s Dorchester Hotel on 20 June when she was selected as the Centre Manager of the Year.

The Sceptre Awards are the pre-eminent accolades in the shopping centre industry, putting the spotlight on management teams, retailers and suppliers that demonstrate real excellence.

Lynette said: “Middleton is a great local centre for both our shoppers and the community at large. It is a real pleasure to lead a team that is dedicated to reinforcing the centre’s strengths and also developing its potential. To have our endeavours recognised and celebrated is a real bonus and I am really proud to be bringing this award to the town.

“We always try to go the extra mile promoting communication, customer service and teamwork. Times are tough at the moment for both our shops and our shoppers but we have made some real improvements to the centre with further enhancements already planned. The addition of our gym, Xercise4Less, and the community facilities provided by the Lighthouse Project have already shown the way we can broaden the appeal of the centre. This week sees work starting on improving circulation to the upper floors of the centre and it is my job to ensure we continue to match the aspirations of local people.

“I am happiest at work when I feel I am making a difference for the local community and my retailers.”

Below is the endorsement quoted by the Sceptre awards in their commendation of Lynette’s work.

Lynette is an energetic centre manager with an absolute passion and dedication to her role at Middleton shopping centre. Having only taken up the post in 2016, Lynette’s spirited and hands-on approach has led to some outstanding results in a short space of time.

Most notably, footfall is up 6.5%, car park usage up 9% and the purchase rate is up from 90 to 92% Equally, 11 lettings have been achieved in the past 12 months including a 33,000-sq ft gym.

Lynette has transformed tenant relations at the centre. Starting from a 10% turnout at tenant meetings, at best, at least 85% of tents now attend. Lynette has been proactive and flexible in her approach to achieve this, allowing retailers the opportunity to attend at different times.

A retailer intranet system has been created enabling much more effective communication while also being paper-free. Lynette visit units on a daily basis to speak to tenants face-to-face.

100% of centre waste has now been diverted from landfill, saving 142,470 kg of carbon.

Lynette’s fun-loving yet professional approach means she has an excellent rapport with all tenants, staff and customers. She regularly gets involved in centre events, dressing up as a zombie for Halloween and handing out sweets to kids in the mall.

Community relations have also been improved. Lynette is in an active supporter of the Lighthouse Project charity, persuading the landlord to provide them with the unit, and raising almost £4,500 through centre events and activities.