A BASINGSTOKE shopping centre has been internationally recognised for its dedication to sustainability and environmental education in the local community.

Festival Place has received a bronze award in the Retail and Wholesale Energy Reduction category of the International CSR Excellence Awards.

These global awards are presented to companies that use their position to help their colleagues, communities, customers, and the environment.

Head of operations Gary Cooper said: “This award would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the Festival Place team. This accolade rewards their ongoing passion to environmental best practice and community initiatives.”

As part of its entry Festival Place included its commitment to wellbeing through its Giving Garden, a space where local people can connect with plants to support their mental health and wellbeing; engagement in environmental education as it has introduced its own in-house Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to allow for the complete segregation of cardboard, paper, glass, plastics, aluminium and other metal, and environmental best practice, having introduced numerous initiatives to reduce both energy and water usage.