Agenda Sessions

8am: Early event access for sponsors

9am: Doors open for all other participants

• How local identity and strategy drive competitive advantage 

• Lessons from successful regeneration projects in the UK 

• Building investor confidence: What the private sector needs from the public sector 

• Streamlining planning, funding and partnerships 

• Creating places where people want to live, work, shop and spend time 

• What strategic factors led major retailers to transition from high street to predominantly out-of-town formats? 

• How are out-of-town schemes better aligning with consumer expectations around convenience, parking, and experience? 

• What impact is this trend having on traditional retail centres and how can high streets respond? 

• How are landlords adapting asset strategies and tenant mixes to support this directional shift? 

• What lessons can developers and local authorities take from others to inform long-term planning and regeneration?

• Will full pedestrianisation boost footfall and experience, or complicate operations and retail recovery? 

• What are the practical challenges around servicing, deliveries, and emergency access? 

• What does a fully pedestrianised Oxford Street mean for experiential retail, meanwhile uses, and activation strategies? 

• What knock-on effects should we expect for surrounding streets and neighbourhoods? 

• Is the proposed timeline realistic and what needs to happen to meet it without disruption? 

• Why are industry opinions so split?  What does this debate reveal about the future of high street design? 

• What role must landlords, retailers, planners, and the council play in shaping the outcome? 

• How landlords and franchise operators are partnering to streamline site selection, minimise risk, and accelerate timelines 

• What global trends such as localisation, flexible formats, or digital-first marketing are proving essential to new market success? 

• How can UK stakeholders better attract and support incoming brands through data, incentives, and infrastructure? 

• What do failed expansions teach us about the importance of cultural alignment, operational readiness, and strategic pacing? 

Over lunch, this roundtable brings together landlords, agents, developers, and tech experts to explore the next wave of operational innovation in retail property. From sensor-driven automation to smarter energy systems, the conversation will focus on the practical side of turning real estate into responsive, high-performing assets.  

• What building technologies are landlords adopting and what’s proving worth the investment?  

• How are automation, smart sensors, and integration platforms improving operational efficiency?  

• What innovations are helping landlords meet ESG targets without blowing the budget?  

• How can building tech reduce risk, unlock compliance benefits, and boost long-term value?  

• What collaboration models between landlords, tech firms, and agents are driving progress fastest?  

• What types of data are proving most valuable for leasing, site selection, and tenant mix planning? 

• How are retailers using data to tailor store strategies and customer experiences? 

• What role does real-time insight play in adapting to market volatility or changing local dynamics? 

• How can landlords and agents collaborate more effectively around shared data to support stronger occupier outcomes? 

• What standout examples show data-driven decision-making in action across the retail property sector? 

• What tools, funding platforms, or digital systems are helping councils identify, market, and progress key sites? 

• Assessing the benefits of local governments embracing collaboration and investment-readiness 

• What does an effective public-private partnership look like in 2025 and where are the best examples of success? 

• How can developers, landlords, and occupiers better engage with councils to unlock stalled projects or underused assets? 

• What role do national policies and regional bodies play in supporting a more joined-up approach to regeneration? 

Location: Ground Hall Bar & Terrace

• ow are CEOs adapting location strategies as footfall patterns shift and costs climb? 

• With traditional leases under pressure, what does a more resilient portfolio look like? 

• What are some of the biggest risks and calculated gambles worth taking in the next 12 months? 

• Is AI hype or high impact? And what other tech is getting real traction at board level? 

• What will set the winners apart in a market that’s demanding more flexibility, creativity, and collaboration? 

• What are international retailers looking for when entering the UK market and which cities are meeting the mark? 

• How can local authorities, landlords, and agents work together to streamline entry and support long-term growth? 

• What infrastructure, consumer insights, and support systems make the difference between a soft launch and a runaway success? 

• How international players perceive the UK compared to other European markets and what gives the UK a competitive edge 

• What lessons can be drawn from successful brand launches and what common pitfalls should be avoided? 

• Which sectors are seeing the most franchise activity? 

• How are leading brands reducing time-to-launch and managing rising costs around planning, fit-out, and legal processes? 

• What role do agents and landlords play in enabling faster deals, better locations, and smarter site selection? 

• Adapting franchise models to changing consumer behaviour, staffing challenges, and new operational realities 

• What lessons can be learned from recent UK and international franchise success stories? 

• What are the biggest barriers independents face when trying to secure retail space and how can they be removed? 

• How are agents, landlords, and councils adapting lease terms, incentives, and communication to better support small businesses? 

• The role of new platforms, match-making tools and events to help reduce friction 

• How can local authorities balance commercial viability with the social and economic value independents offer? 

• What standout examples show independents thriving thanks to the right support and collaboration?

Taking place in the Vault

Due to new AML regulations property agents are facing steep fines, regulatory crackdowns, and even criminal investigations for falling short of compliance. This practical, no-nonsense session will help you understand exactly what’s expected and how to protect your business. 

• Which landlord, retailer partnerships are setting new benchmarks in sustainability and what can we learn from them? 

• How are ESG goals being embedded into leasing structures, fit-out processes, and long-term asset planning? 

• What role do data, reporting tools, and third-party consultants play in tracking progress and driving accountability? 

• How can collaboration across retailers, landlords, and local authorities unlock more ambitious ESG outcomes? 

• Understanding the most common barriers to ESG implementation and how to successfully overcome them 

• What new lease models turnover-based, short-form, or hybrid are gaining traction, and where are they working best? 

• How are forward-thinking landlords balancing flexibility with financial security and asset performance? 

• In what ways are occupiers shaping lease terms to better reflect operational realities and customer behaviour? 

• What tools, templates, or legal frameworks are helping speed up negotiations and reduce friction? 

• Utilizing data and transparency to build trust and unlock more sustainable value 

Soapbox is Back! Bigger, Better, and Full of Business Opportunity!

Soapbox returns this Autumn, once again delivering a unique platform designed to drive real business growth. This year, we’re expanding the stage to feature a dynamic mix of brands, from startups to established brands, franchise operators and internationals offering attendees a powerful opportunity to discover, connect, and collaborate.

The Tech Innovation Stage is your front-row seat to the technology changing how we lease, manage, and activate property. Expect demos, big ideas, and real-world examples of innovation solving today’s challenges across the retail and commercial real estate landscape. 

• How landlords and franchise operators are partnering to streamline site selection, minimise risk, and accelerate timelines 

• What global trends such as localisation, flexible formats, or digital-first marketing are proving essential to new market success? 

• How can UK stakeholders better attract and support incoming brands through data, incentives, and infrastructure? 
• What do failed expansions teach us about the importance of cultural alignment, operational readiness, and strategic pacing? 

• Which sectors are seeing the most franchise activity? 

• How are leading brands reducing time-to-launch and managing rising costs around planning, fit-out, and legal processes? 

• What role do agents and landlords play in enabling faster deals, better locations, and smarter site selection? 

• Adapting franchise models to changing consumer behaviour, staffing challenges, and new operational realities 

• What lessons can be learned from recent UK and international franchise success stories?