The Group recognises that local initiatives are important in enhancing various aspects which serve to improve and promote central London, and supports a number of groups including the Westminster Property Association, Westminster City Council, Transport for London and the New West End Company in their work to address issues such as planning, transport and security. In respect of the New West End Company, the Group has made voluntary contributions to match those of the Group’s tenants to support its activities to ensure London’s West End continues to be unsurpassed as a leading destination around the globe. Key activities include new way finding to help visitors find their way in and around the West End, a diagonal crossing for Oxford Circus reducing congestion and improving pedestrian traffic flow and enhancements to the environment surrounding Marble Arch and an improvement to the accessibility between Hyde Park and Oxford Street, W1. In addition, in partnership with Westminster City Council and various retailer associations, we have provided sponsorship for activities such as West End Live and decorations at Christmas at Jermyn Street, W1 as well contributing to the property sector charity, Land Aid. Mindful of supporting communities local to our portfolio we have also continued to provide sponsorship to the Bermondsey Street festival.

The Group has continued with its tradition of encouraging staff to be involved in, and supporting, charitable activities. In particular, the Group targets charities involved in health, the homeless and the community, and, where practicable, allows temporarily vacant buildings to be occupied, at no cost, by charities seeking premises. In partnership with Westminster Education Authority, through a Primary School Volunteer scheme, in the year ended 31 March 201018% of the Group’s employees have participated for a fifth year in helping pupils at St. Vincent’s school in Marylebone to improve their reading.

Asset management

During the year ending 31 March 2010, mindful of supporting local artists, we were able to relocate a young theatre group, Theatre Delicatessen from Marcol House, W1 where we wished to start work on the development to an empty building within the Group’s portfolio, providing sponsorship in kind by waiving our rent. At Piccadilly Arcade, W1 whilst units were vacant during refurbishment works we provided exhibition space for a London born artist to show his current works.

Development

Principal contractors on all developments and major refurbishments continue to be required to register our sites with the Considerate Constructors’ Scheme and where scores fall below expected standards, immediate remedial action is taken.

Newsletters were produced for Bermondsey Street, SE1 and other major refurbishments conducted during the year with regular meetings also held with tenants to provide feedback to contractors on performance.

Download our 2010/11 tenant and social objectives and targets pdf

Download our progress against our 2009 tenant objectives and targets pdf

Download our progress against our 2009/10 community objectives and targets pdf

Download our 2009/10 social objectives and targets pdf

Download our progress against our 2008/09 social objectives and targets pdf

Download our 2008/09 social objectives and targets pdf