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 

• 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? 

Successful regeneration is where Commerce, Culture and Community Converge. This discussion will explore opportunities, pitfalls and lessons from Elephant and Castle’s £4bn transformation anchored by the The Elephant. 

1. As one of the most underserved retail markets in Central London, how will the regeneration of Elephant & Castle address a £209M retail blind spot and open new catchment opportunities for brands?
2. Elephant & Castle is now one of the youngest, most affluent, and fast-evolving neighbourhoods in the city. Understanding shifting demographics (eg the rise of “Prosperous Professionals”) and how to future-proof retail strategy and communities.
3. How to attract the right mix of experience-led retail, F&B, leisure, affordable and cultural tenants to create a destination worth travelling for?
4. Learning from London & Beyond – What Brixton, Camden, King’s Cross and Canary Wharf got right (and wrong) in creating lasting retail ecosystems.
5. Risk vs Reward – How retailers and landlords can de-risk early moves into regeneration zones and sustain commercial vibrancy beyond the launch.  

• 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? 

Roundtable seats are limited, and pre-registration is required. Applications to participate will be reviewed and confirmed by SEGRO. 

Hosted by SEGRO, this closed-door roundtable aims to foster knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer dialogue, and build a collaborative network to explore the role of industrial real estate for supporting food retail operations. The discussion will focus on:

• Strategic location and network optimisation
• Requirements for next-generation production and distribution hubs
• Opportunities for collaboration on efficient, low-carbon buildings and renewable energy

• 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

• How are industry leaders 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?
  
  

• Lessons from recent brand launches: what differentiates a smooth rollout from a misstep?
• Working with landlords, agents, and developers to identify opportunities whilst balancing franchise partner needs?
• How to scale leasing strategies, logistics and partnerships to support growth across multiple regions?
• What are the most common challenges during a UK rollout and how are these different to other countries?

Recognising Excellence Across the UK’s Retail Property Sector

• Outstanding Contribution to the Industry award - Presented to an individual whose visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and exceptional service have significantly shaped and elevated the retail property sector over the years. This award celebrates a career of groundbreaking achievements, innovation, and positive influence-recognizing sustained impact, mentorship, and a legacy that has driven transformation within our industry
  
  
• Deal Maker of the year – celebrating an agency or individual who secured a game-changing leasing deal or investment deal.
  
  
• Fastest Growing Real Estate Company - For an outstanding company that has demonstrated consistent growth, innovation and impact in the retail, leisure or hospitality sector.
  
  
• Retailer Growth Excellence Award – Voted by the attendees of the Soapbox sessions: Out of Town, High Streets and Shopping Centres, Franchise.
  
  
• Emerging Retailer of the year – Voted by the attendees of the Soapbox sessions: International Entrants and Start Ups.

• 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?
  
  

• 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?
  
  
• Utilising data and transparency to build trust and unlock more sustainable value.
  
  

• 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.
  
  

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.

• 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?