In representation of Westfield Derby, I have no problem recommending working with Derby College.
Westfield Derby has been working very closely with Derby College in the role of Board Member, to help set up and launch the Derby Retail Skills Shop. The Skills Shop is part of the National Skills Academy for Retail, which Westfield also supports on a national level.
As part of the role as Board Member, Westfield are represented at all the Board Meetings and offer support and guidance in relation to city and nationwide activities within the organisation. Working alongside the town centre management team and other key board members, this supporting role enables the College to focus on what is actually needed for the city and our retailers.
Westfield Derby is supporting Derby College and the Skills Shop, by offering presentations to learners from retail professionals within the centre management team on such topics as retail marketing, customer research and catchment analysis. Westfield also offers the College space within the malls and managment suite for events and training.
The key aim of our partnership is to ensure that our retailers receive support and training to help develop their own businesses. Since the launch of the board in September 2009, Derby College have already offered our retailers the opportunity to attend some specialist master classes from Mary Portas and are presently developing a mystry shopping programme linked to an awards programme to build the profile of retailers in the city.
