Business leaders have hailed the impact Nottingham's two shopping centres have on the local economy as it emerged they provide employment for more than 6,000 people.
The workforce of 6,185 across the intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh, which is currently undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration, represents about three percent of jobs in the local area.
The split between the two venues is not known but it has been confirmed 170 people are directly employed by the shopping mall giant, .
Matthew Roberts, intu chief executive, said: “Flagship centres such as intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh play an important role in the lives of communities across the 海角视频, not only in terms of the jobs we create but also the taxes we generate as well as the causes we support to improve the lives and wellbeing of people in our neighbourhoods.”
According to a report undertaken by shopping centre bosses, its centres are estimated to have helped contribute about £4.8bn to the 海角视频 economy last year.
Scott Knowles, chief executive at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The importance of shopping centres to the local economy cannot be overestimated.
“The centres themselves are businesses, employing people through a range disciplines from administration through to marketing, property expertise and maintenance and are themselves, tax and business rates payers.
“They also provide a platform for many other businesses, each a tax and business rates payer and each creating employment opportunities for local people.
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“But the value of shopping centres doesn’t stop at their doors, there are also jobs created in supply businesses both to the centres themselves and for all the shops they accommodate.
"For every job in the shopping centre there are many more created outside, in manufacturing, supply, logistics and delivery, for example.
“By creating employment, shopping centres also generate spending power, which secures and creates other jobs, driving a circle of growth.
“And with the right blend of shops, the centres attract visitors to the city, some of whom will explore and make use of facilities outside the shopping centres, which adds even greater value.”
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Jeff Allen, chairman of Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID), added: “Shopping centres are important to today’s consumer and Nottingham is fortunate to have two in its city centre.
"The current Broadmarsh redevelopment will be a massive improvement to the south of the .
"The combination of these two revitalised centres, together with the extensive array of shops in the rest of the compact city centre makes Nottingham uniquely attractive for shoppers.”
D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership chief executive, Sajeeda Rose, added: “The two centres are a strong driver of both footfall and employment within Nottingham city centre and it’s great to see the diversity of businesses represented in both, from sole traders to multi-national conglomerates."