Bannon appointed as Property Managers for the Harcourt Building

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The Harcourt Building is an iconic 60,000 sq ft piece of office real estate in Dublin city. It features two retail units on the ground floor and boasts occupiers such as Investec, Bloomberg, Starbucks, and Foody’s Pharmacy. Led by Sarah Fortune, Bannon has been appointed as Property Managers for this prestigious asset.

Sarah has an in-depth knowledge of the building having originally managed it in 2007. She brings dedication and an exceptional office management service that will benefit both occupier and owner as the building undergoes significant capital expenditure. This includes a major refurbishment of the bespoke glass lifts and a comprehensive review to increase the building’s BER (Building Energy Rating), ensuring a sustainable future.

The Harcourt Building marks the addition of another property to the expanding Bannon office portfolio and we look forward to delivering a high standard of management services.

 

 

 

 

100 Step journey from hospitality to commercial property management

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In a world of constant change, taking on a new path can often feel like embarking on a journey of a hundred steps. Each step is a new challenge, opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, a chance to learn the new skills. As someone who has made the leap of faith from the mountain of hospitality to the dynamic field of commercial property management, I can vouch for the transformative power of such a transition.

My journey began in the financial sector – until the financial crisis struck and I had to explore another opportunity. The road to a new stage of my life led me to Ireland, where I have began my journey in the hospitality business, perfecting my skills in customer service, operations management, and team leadership. Years of perfecting my skills were recognised in a number of professional achievements and honoured by Irish Hospitality Institute award in 2019 for the best ‘’Food and Beverage Manager of the Year’’. While I thrived in the fast-paced environment, I found myself drawn to the field of property management – a field where attention to detail, customer relationships and strategic thinking are paramount.

The decision to make this move from the hospitality business to commercial property management was not made easy. It required careful consideration, self assessment and willingness to make a leap of faith into the unknown. However, I was determined to make a change and explore new avenues of professional growth.

With guidance from my colleagues, the first steps were to acquire all the necessary technical knowledge and skills in commercial property management, occupier and owner relations and lease agreements.

However, the career change from hospitality to commercial property management was not just about technical knowledge – it also required a shift in my mindset. While the hospitality industry focuses on creating experiences for guests, property management is focused on creating value for owners and occupiers. This shift in perspective allowed me to leverage my background in hospitality to enhance the user experience, improve engagement with suppliers and drive service standards across the portfolio.

Another important step on my professional journey was building a professional network and relationships in the real estate industry. I actively participated in networking sessions and attended industry events. By making professional connections and expanding my knowledge base I became more confident in my line of work.

As I progressed on my journey, I encountered numerous challenges and setbacks. From managing complex maintenance contracts to navigating complex lease agreements, each challenge presented an opportunity to learn and develop. By going through this experience, I was able to overcome all obstacles and gain confidence in my abilities.

Today, as I reflect on my journey from hospitality to commercial property management, I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped me into the real estate professional I am today. While the transition may have been daunting at times, it has been immensely rewarding.

In conclusion, the transition from hospitality to commercial property management is not just a career change—it’s a rewarding 100 step journey. So, take that first step and embark on your journey—you never know where it might lead you.

 

Author:              Alex Staskunas, Property Manager, Bannon

Date:                  7th May 2024

 

Christine Dolan Named Business All-Star Shopping Centre Industry Business Person 2024

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Sligo business leader Christine Dolan has been named Business All-Star Shopping Centre Industry Business Person 2024 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

Christine is the Centre Manager of Quayside Shopping Centre located in the heart of Sligo Town.

For almost two decades, Quayside Shopping Centre has consistently upheld the highest standards of trust, commitment, performance, and customer centricity.

Distinguished by its unique combination of open streets and covered malls, Quayside Shopping Centre is meticulously designed to cater to the needs of contemporary retailers while ensuring that customers enjoy a relaxed, secure, and convenient shopping experience.

Much of the centre’s welcoming atmosphere is down to the direction of Christine Dolan who has put local customers at the very heart of the Sligo business.

Her innovative marketing, customer engagement, and tenant relations strategies have distinguished Quayside as an industry leader, offering a diverse shopping experience.

Business All-Star Shopping Centre Industry Business Person 2024 accreditation comes in recognition of her performance in her role as Centre Manager.

Announcing the news of Christine’s achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said:

“I am delighted to acknowledge Christine Dolan, Centre Manager of Quayside Shopping Centre, as the Business All-Star Shopping Centre Industry Business Person Of The Year 2024. With her extensive experience and deep understanding of retail, Christine’s leadership has made quayside a vibrant retail hub. Her innovative marketing, customer engagement, and tenant relations strategies have distinguished Quayside as an industry leader, offering a diverse shopping experience.”

Reacting to the news of her company’s achievement, Quayside Centre Manager Christine Dolan said:

“At Quayside Shopping Centre, we have always strived to uphold the highest standards of excellence, driven by a commitment to our customers and community. This recognition underscores the dedication of our entire team and reaffirms our commitment to delivering an exceptional shopping experience in the heart of Sligo. Together, we will continue to innovate, engage, and serve our loyal customers, ensuring that Quayside remains a vibrant hub for our community. Thank you to the AIBF for this meaningful recognition.”

Managing Director of the All-Ireland Business Foundation Kapil Khanna said: The accreditation, which is now held by over 650 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.

He said: We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.

Article Published by All Ireland Business Times 

 

Bannon Promotions 2024

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Congratulations to Richard Merriman and Iain McGann on their promotions to Associate Director in the Bannon Property Management team. Richard and Iain play key roles in managing our property portfolio across the retail and office sectors nationwide. Wishing them both the very best of luck as they continue to be an integral part of growing the firm.

Top health & safety scores for Bannon managed property: Athlone Town Centre

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With Bannon being the largest managing agent of retail properties in the country and welcoming over 100 million people to our various schemes on an annual basis, health and safety is paramount on our list of priorities. Since 2016, Bannon has worked in partnership with health and safety consultants SeaChange Ltd.

SeaChange conducts annual audits across the Bannon property management portfolio. The work involves a risk assessment along with the preparation of a safety statement. Each site adopts the SeaChange Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention system and has access to the SeaChange client portal to track safety KPIs.

Among our properties, Athlone Town Centre has consistently excelled through this rigorous process. Achieving a high score necessitates hourly checks, contributing to an outstanding compliance rate of 92%. In 2023, nearly 6,000 checklists were completed, showcasing remarkable dedication from the onsite team in safeguarding all visitors and staff at Athlone Town Centre.

Thanks to these concerted efforts, Bannon has observed the lowest number of recorded incidents in the centre since it opened 17 years ago. This dedication has resulted in Athlone Town Centre being one of the top scoring shopping centres in the country with an annual SABRE audit score of 4.1 out of 5. The SABRE audit is carried out once a year and the benchmark for safety culture.

The centre manager Shirley Delahunt comments ‘As a team, we have been using the SeaChange system in Athlone Towncentre for the last number of years. Despite reservations at the outset that this would add an additional administrative layer, seeing the SeaChange system in operation we quickly realised how agile and intuitive it was and how it could be used to complement and enhance the processes in place.

The introduction of the SeaChange system and use of the app gave us a structure within the area of Health and Safety that we previously lacked. As a team, we have tailored the SeaChange system to our site-specific requirements, using it to monitor all elements of health and safety as well as creating bespoke checklists and patrol requirements for the site. The ease of use of the SeaChange app and portal has really assisted us in securing buy-in from all team members on-site. It has meant that health and safety within the site has now become the responsibility of everyone as opposed to a few. The reporting function allows us to continually monitor our performance and clearly identify any areas of deficiency.’

Athlone Town Centre consistently scoring a Gold rating on an annual basis is a testament to the team on the ground. We, at Bannon, are immensely proud of our onsite team and their continuous dedication to this cause on a daily basis.

Author:              Brian Geraghty, Surveyor, Bannon

Date:                  8th April 2024

 

Gateway Retail Park is now at Full Occupancy

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The arrival of Specsavers to Gateway Retail Park marks full occupancy at the thriving shopping hub. Specsavers is a trusted occupier across multiple locations within the Bannon portfolio. The Property Management team works closely with the retailer to support its expansion. Join us in congratulating Specsavers as they continue their growth plans in Ireland.

Earth Hour

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Your Hour, Your Power! Staff at Bannon and properties across our nationwide management portfolio of shopping centres, retail parks and offices will be taking part in Earth Hour tomorrow, Saturday 23rd March, from 8.30pm until 9.30pm.

Earth Hour is a global awareness movement in which involves lights, appliances, plant, and other items being turned off for an hour.

International Women’s Day 2024

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It was fantastic for our property management team members Alex Patterson and Sarah Fortune to attend the SCSI hybrid event to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024👏

It was inspiring to listen to guest speaker Sonia Deasy, CEO of Pestle & Mortar discussing her career experience and the challenges she has encountered along the way.

We are grateful to the SCSI for organising such a meaningful and insightful event, and we look forward to participating in more events like this in the future.

Polonez now open in Artane Place

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It was super exciting to see POLONEZ open their 41st store at Artane Place.

Congratulations to the team on a fantastic fitout with a lovely selection of produce that remind you of home.

The Importance of Supporting Biodiversity in Commercial Assets

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Biodiversity is not only a cornerstone of healthy ecosystems but also plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for local communities. As urbanisation and the built environment continue to reshape landscapes, integrating biodiversity into commercial assets can result in numerous benefits that extend far beyond environmental considerations.

In commercial assets biodiversity has a positive impact on local wildlife. Urbanisation tends to displace many species, but well-planned green spaces can serve as valuable habitats. Chirping birds, the buzzing of bees and the presence of butterflies contribute to a richer and more dynamic environment. This not only enhances the overall ecological balance but also fosters a sense of connection with nature among users. We in Bannon have seen this first hand where we have numerous assets involved in the All-Ireland Pollinator plan. We create a landscape in our assets where pollinators can thrive and restore pollinators populations to healthy levels. Pollinators are integral to all local ecosystems as they help fertilise flowers, crops and wild plants.

One of the primary advantages of promoting and integrating biodiversity in commercial assets is the positive impact on the overall well-being of the users. Green spaces with diverse flora and fauna provide recreational opportunities, offering users an alternative to the built-up environment many are now surrounded by. Access to natural environments has been linked to improved mental health, reduced stress levels, and increased overall happiness. Integrating biodiversity into retail and office spaces contributes to creating a more enjoyable user experience.

Adding greenery into commercial spaces enhances the aesthetic appeal of the area. Landscaping with a variety of plants, trees and flowers not only beautifies the surroundings but also creates a welcoming atmosphere. This visual appeal can attract more visitors to the commercial area, boosting footfall for occupying businesses.

In addition to the aesthetic and recreational benefits, biodiversity in commercial assets has tangible economic advantages. Green roofs not only provide habitat for plants and animals but also offer insulation, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling within buildings. This, in turn leads to cost savings for the service charge and creates a more sustainable and economically efficient asset.

The promotion of biodiversity aligns with growing consumer preferences for sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Businesses that actively engage in biodiversity programmes and showcase their commitment to environmental responsibility are likely to attract environmentally conscious consumers. This creates a positive feedback loop where businesses, customers and the environment all benefit from a shared commitment to biodiversity.

Integrating biodiversity into commercial assets requires a multifaceted approach that yields numerous benefits for local communities, owners, and users alike. The importance of promoting biodiversity is undeniable. By recognising the interconnectedness of ecological health and prosperity, Property Managers can work together to create vibrant and sustainable commercial assets that benefit owners, users, and the environment.

The Bannon Property Management team manage a large portfolio of assets including Offices, Shopping Centres and Retail Parks in Ireland. We are actively implementing this multifaceted approach to biodiversity across our portfolio.

 

Author:              William Lambe, Divisional Director, Bannon

Date:                  6th March 2024

 

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