The St Nicholas Centre in Sutton and Centrale and Whitgift in Croydon have both been named finalists for the Community Initiative of the Year (South) category in the 2025 South East Public and Town Centre Retail Excellence (SCEPTRE) Awards.
The category recognises shopping centres that have gone beyond traditional retail by actively engaging with their communities by supporting local causes and delivering creative, inclusive, and impactful initiatives.
The St Nicholas Centre, Centre Manager, Priya Kaur said: “With the cost of living rising, it became clear we had an opportunity to use the shopping centre as more than just a retail space.
“I wanted to create something meaningful – something that brought joy to children, supported parents, and gave back to causes that truly matter to our community.”
The St Nicholas Centre organised many affordable events, including the Family Fun Zone themed activities, character appearances (including Sonic the Hedgehog), interactive trails and prizes specifically for young children and families.
The Centrale and Whitgift Centre offers many community-focused activities such as delivering Costa Del Croydon this August 2025, a free rooftop beach experience with giant sandpits and splash zones, open to all ages.
Dominique Stagg, Marketing Manager at Centrale & Whitgift, said: “This was more than a summer pop-up, it was a bold reimagining of what a shopping centre can be for its community.
“We wanted to create something joyful, inclusive and genuinely impactful for local families, and the response has been overwhelming.”
He added: “We’re excited to bring it back even better for 2025.”
The SCEPTRE Awards are nationally recognised as one of the UK’s most respected and prestigious retail honours, celebrating excellence across categories such as Customer Service Team of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion Scheme of the Year, Retail Destination of the Year, and more.
Other finalists in the category include Castlepoint (Bournemouth), County Mall (Crawley), Festival Place (Basingstoke), The Boardwalk Port Solent (Portsmouth), The Mall Wood Green (London), and The Oracle (Reading).
The final awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
