A shopping outlet has reported it has created more than £100,000 in 'social value' for Braintree.

Braintree Village published its inaugural Impact Report on January 15, which detailed its social, economic, and environmental contributions to Essex.

Housing more than 80 premium brands, the centre celebrated the success of its first-ever Christmas ice rink in its 24-year history in 2023.

Since 2019, the report states Braintree Village has provided more than £114,000 of social value to the local community, employing more than 800 workers at its facilities.

Josef O’Sullivan, centre director at Braintree Village, said: "As a retail destination, we constantly strive to ensure we deliver a sustainable future which meets our customers’ expectations and create added value for our local community, customers, colleagues, and partners.

"Our purpose sits at the heart of everything we do, in the way we create sustainable places, realise potential and serve a vibrant community."

The outlet shopping village houses a range of premium brands such as Reiss, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, BOSS, and Kate Spade New York.

Braintree Village's influence extends beyond its remit as a shopping destination.

As part of its pledge to sustain the local community, the centre has launched a new initiative, Landsec Futures.

Funded by Landsec, the retail destination's owner, the £20m social impact fund aims to boost the social value to the communities it serves.

In addition to scholarships for higher education students, internships, and community grants, Landsec Futures will also collaborate with local charities in a three-year employability scheme.

This includes First Stop Centre in Braintree, offering CV assistance, digital skill lessons, and wellness care, as well as food resources.

The collaboration intends to provide volunteering and job-shadowing opportunities through brand partners at the outlet.

Moreover, the centre has committed to reducing its environmental impact, joining more than 1,000 international companies with a commitment to become a net-zero carbon business by 2040.

As part of its net-zero transition investment strategy, Braintree Village has already achieved a 15 per cent reduction in energy intensity since 2019.

The full Landsec Impact Report can be seen on the Landsec website.