Recognised for its ‘best in industry’ excellence, Overgate has eclipsed tough nationwide competition to win the top accolade. The centre’s commitment to the local community, and the strength of its inspirational campaigns which are creating real social value for Dundee, was deemed by judges to merit the huge honour.
The headline accolade has been accorded to Overgate by the internationally-recognised Prestige Awards, part of the Luxury Travel Guide and Corporate Live Wire platforms.
Speaking about the news, Malcolm Angus, Centre Manager of Overgate says:
“This is a monumental win for Overgate. To have been named Shopping Centre of the Year is the greatest honour and a resounding vote of confidence in the centre, our staff, our retailers and indeed the city of Dundee.
“Everyone connected to Overgate is absolutely delighted. The centre takes its commitment to the local community very seriously and it is particularly gratifying to know our campaigns which support community social values throughout the year have proved the catalyst for this huge accolade.
“We would like to thank the judges for recognising the importance of community and for their acknowledgement of Overgate’s talented and hardworking team in creating such inspirational campaigns.
”Overgate recognises its position at the heart of the community and we all look forward to continuing our focus on bringing positive impact to Dundee.”
Amongst the standout campaigns which have given Overgate the winning edge largely due to the focus on creating social value in and around Dundee are:
GROW at Overgate; the initiative which gives local entrepreneurs the chance to win retail space in the centre completely free for one year and has seen the inaugural joint winners Crafted Pine Co. and Olly Bobbins both open their doors in 2020 and perform above expectations.
The Braveheart Challenge; a high intensity business workshop delivered to more than 200 S3 pupils from St John’s RC High School in Dundee, educating them on the careers available within retail, and supported by Overgate management, Police Scotland and leading industry figures from across the UK.
Overgate Food Bank Week; a rapid emergency response in partnership with The Trussell Trust to support those experiencing financial crisis in Dundee leading up to Christmas 2020 – a 61% increase on 2019 – with high nutrition emergency food parcels. Overgate management also continue to volunteer weekly at Dundee Food Bank and a local soup kitchen on Saturday evenings.
Dundee Music Hall of Fame; gifting of prime location land adjacent to Overgate to support the creation of Dundee Music Hall of Fame, a free visitor attraction honouring Dundonians who have created a lasting musical legacy for the city. A music-themed pavement will lead visitors on a journey into a specially designed seating area where a Musical Heritage experience is accessed via a digital interactive app. Dundee Music Hall of Fame will also host performances by local musical talent and arts groups throughout the year.
Overgate and Help for Kids Christmas Toy Appeal; a campaign supporting Dundee charity Help for Kids, anchored on a 12ft Giving Tree in Overgate, with high retailer and public engagement and 5,000 gifts totalling more than £20,000 donated to local children most in need for Christmas. Overgate also gifted the charity secure space as a sorting and distribution hub in 2020.
Overgate Air Mail; a positivity project with Dundee’s Ancrum Road Primary School and Dundee’s Twinning Association. In the absence of a Christmas grotto in Overgate due to Covid-19, Overgate Air Mail saw 76 Dundee pupils aged between six and twelve years old write an uplifting letter of festive cheer to new pen pals at Charles Barrett Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, USA at the height of the pandemic. New transatlantic friendships have been forged and twin city ties are being strengthened between Dundee and Alexandria as a result of Overgate Air Mail.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Scheme; a campaign highlighting that not all disabilities are visible or immediately obvious and those who wear a sunflower lanyard are now recognised by Overgate staff as potentially requiring additional help. Overgate Retail Marketing Manager, Metta Ramsay handmade 50 sunflower printed face coverings, to complement the official sunflower products, and these were made available free of charge to visitors from a dedicated sunflower-dressed area in the centre.
The Overgate team are now looking forward to receiving their Shopping Centre of the Year accolade in person at the Prestige Awards ceremony which will take place in summer 2021
SDI (Dundee 2) Limited
The Overgate Centre, Dundee is owned and managed by Legal & General, the largest commercial property company in the UK.
