Serving the communities surrounding our shopping centres better through value-added services
The objective
The expansion of additional services adjacent to our centres, in order to create multi-amenity hubs for the surrounding communities. Our additional service offerings are expected to include day-hospitals, filling stations, health clubs and more.
The solution
In 2015 we were approached by Advanced Health Limited, a JSE-listed company specialising in the operation of day-hospitals, to invest R28 million in the Soweto Private Day Hospital facility. The Soweto Private Day Hospital, which is leased by Advanced Health Limited until December 2037, is 2 817m2 and can accommodate 20 beds. Although the Soweto Private Day-Hospital is not in close proximity to our existing centres, there is the opportunity to partner with local municipalities to maximise economic and social returns, by utilising state-owned land close to our centres to create various public facilities (schools, crèches, clinics, small scale Home Affairs offices) and encourage an increase in foot count through our centres.
The roll-out of the following additional service projects is underway: Gym (Virgin Active Red) at Nkomo Village; SASSA grants offices at Denlyn and Mnandi; petrol filling stations at Nkomo Village and Mnandi; day-hospital facilities at Denlyn, Atlyn, Lynnwood and Thabong centres (subject to requisite licence approvals); and upgrade of the public sports fields and facilities adjacent to our Denlyn centre.
The impact
The increased foot count in our centres which have new additional services has given rise to growth in tenants’ turnover, resulting in Safari being able to increase rental revenue at these centres. The return on investment from the additional services is in line with Safari’s investment strategy.
