Metrocentre Community
Environmental, Social and Governance Roundup
MetroCENTRE of the Community
Environmental, Social and Governance Roundup
For over 40 years Metrocentre has been a partner and a neighbour to local people, providing jobs, skills and employment opportunities.
We care about our community and the environment and strive to ensure that our activities impact positively on them.
Here are some of our highlights from over the years:
Tackling the Climate Emergency
- £3.1m solar project - Work has recently completed on an ambitious project to ensure a more sustainable future for Metrocentre with the installation of over 5,358 rooftop and solar car port panels. Phase One (3,576 panels) was 50% funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Phase Two (1,800 panels) has recently completed are talks are underway on Phase Three. These panels are generating 2.35MW of electricity, equating to some 40% of our annual electricity usage, the equivalent to powering circa 870 households.
- 124 EV charging points – The centre has 124 EV charging points located across the site with plans in place to increase this to 174.
- £50,000 investment into our Green Travel Plan – We recently undertook a Travel Survey exercise with our centre teams and brand partners to assess progress against the 2021 Travel Plan. The results highlighted positive progress, with single occupancy car use down by more than 16%, while over 65% of staff now travel to Metrocentre using sustainable methods. Public transport use has also increased by 10.4%, with just under 50% of staff now travelling via public transport. We have also seen a significant uplift in train and Metro use.
Delivering Community and Social Value
- Metrocentre Community Hub – Located in the upper Green Mall, the Hub is a large versatile space available to hire by local organisations, businesses and charities for activities which promote health, fitness, wellbeing and employability.
- In 2025; Over 1880 hours of activity were delivered in the Social Hub, supporting more than 80 charities and local organisations.
- 656 people were supported into employment through 4 Metrocentre Job Fairs and Newcastle United Foundation’s “United for Careers” programme, delivered in the Careers Hub.
- 13,000 people engaged in community activity – onsite and offsite, inclusive for all, from infants to seniors, for those with SEND. Activities including promoting good mental health, supporting carers and providing quality work experience.
- 1124 school children were engaged - In the Careers Hub, involved in high quality employability skills workshops, supported by retailers and delivering “Gatsby Benchmarks in Careers Education. Offsite, delivering hands on Environmental, Healthy Eating and Citizenship workshops. Raising awareness and encouraging participation in local and global challenges.
Working in Partnership
- Northumbria Police Partnership – Accessibility to an operational police team that understands the retail sector for public safety and safeguarding.
- Over £80,000 raised for local charities – In 2025, we supported 87 local charities via various fundraising initiatives from the annual Poppy Appeal to the Marie Curie Gift Wrap station.
- North East Youth Alliance - We've partnered with NE Youth and Youth Focus NE to engage young people in the centre. With weekly outreach work and providing a safe supervised space to participate in a range of activities.
Best in Practice Operation
- Green Apple Award – The centre has won the coveted Green Apple awards in 2022, 2023 and 2024 for a variety of environmental projects. We've submitted an award for 2026, with the winner announced in November.
- Sceptre Award – The centre received a prestigious Sceptre Award for ‘Sustainability Initiative of the Year’ for the Solar and EV charging project.
- 100% waste diverted from landfill – Metrocentre recycles 50% of the waste generated on site and the remainder is diverted from landfill into other more environmentally friendly initiatives. Food waste is segregated for anaerobic on site and sent for anaerobic digestion before being converted into clean, green energy that can be used for things such as powering vehicles and homes.
- ISO45001 & 14001 accredited and compliant.
- BREEAM in use part 2 achieved 2024 (expires 2027) rated excellent.
Q4 Highlights from 2025
As 2025 came to a close, Metrocentre continued to make positive progress across environmental, social and governance initiatives, alongside ongoing investment into the centre and wider community.
Environmental
- Generated 23% on-site electricity through solar, with further capacity identified.
- Achieved strong waste performance with recycling at 50% and reduced residual waste.
- Reduced water consumption overall and per visitor despite increased centre activity.
Social
- Throughout October, delivered community value through charity partnerships, fundraising, volunteering promotion and activities to reduce antisocial behaviour.
- Provided free space for health, wellbeing and inclusion initiatives, including NHS clinics, autism support and carers services in November.
- Supported children, young people and families through early activities, SEN provision, youth engagement and employability programmes in December.
Governance
- Operated an active ESG Committee with clear oversight of performance and delivery.
- Progressed ISO 50001 audit preparation and development of a green lease standard.
- Used data-led review and clear actions to inform the 2026 ESG Action Plan.
OUR OBJECTIVES FOR 2026
Environmental - Tackling the Climate Emergency
Our aim is to achieve net zero carbon from Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions by 2050 and to deliver net zero operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2033. Target to achieve a 40% reduction in gas.
Social Value - Working in Partnership to deliver Community & Social Value
We are committed to taking an active role in Gateshead’s “Tackling Poverty Together” strategy and to expand the offer of employability support available to local people. To bridge skills gaps, equip individuals and businesses to innovate and overcome the emerging challenges for retail and other priority sectors in the region.
Governance - Best Practice in Operations
We are committed to developing internal policies and processes to identify, assess, reduce and manage Environmental, Social and Governance risks. We will have in place an ESG Committee and Governance Structure to ensure accountability for the delivery of the Sustainability Action Plan.
