(Image: Dave Charnley)
A shopping centre has achieved international recognition for its focus on health, wellbeing and sustainability.
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination, near Seaham, has earned a 2-Star Fitwel Certification after a rigorous two-year assessment process.
The certification highlights its efforts to create a healthier and more sustainable environment for employees, retailers and visitors.
Fitwel is a global healthy building certification system.
It evaluates how buildings support the health, wellbeing and daily experience of the people who use them.
A 2-Star rating signifies that Dalton Park has exceeded baseline standards by embedding health and wellbeing principles throughout its operations and physical environment.
Richard Kaye, centre manager at Dalton Park, said: "We're incredibly proud to have achieved Fitwel's 2-Star Certification following two years of dedicated work across the centre.
"This recognition reflects the commitment of our team to continually improving Dalton Park for everyone who spends time here, whether that's our employees, retail partners or the millions of visitors who choose to shop with us each year.
"From encouraging active travel and investing in biodiversity to supporting wellbeing and embedding sustainable practices into our daily operations, we've worked hard to create an environment that puts people first.
"Achieving this certification is a fantastic milestone, and one we're extremely proud to celebrate."
Dalton Park was recognised for its investment in sustainable travel, biodiversity, environmental management and employee wellbeing.
The scheme was also praised for workplace facilities and operational policies that place health and wellbeing at the heart of the centre's everyday management.
Many of the centre’s initiatives benefit visitors as well as staff.
These include landscaped green spaces, biodiversity projects, improved walking routes, cycling facilities and well-maintained outdoor environments.
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Maria Garcia, ESG director for Savills, said: "Achieving Fitwel 2-Star Certification is a tremendous and market-leading accomplishment for Dalton Park and a testament to the passion, dedication and hard work of the entire team.
"This recognition reflects a genuine commitment to creating a place where health, wellbeing and sustainability are embedded into the everyday experience of employees, retailers and visitors.
"As custodians of such an important destination within the local community, the team should be immensely proud of what they have achieved and the example they continue to set for the industry."