John Lewis is opening its doors to community groups that need meeting space, expertise and other assistance. Among the groups that have taken advantage of free meeting space in John Lewis department stores are Friends of the Welsh National Opera, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and the Peace Hospice.
'We'd like our shops to become a place where the community is happy to spend time, for use as a genuine resource', says Managing Director Andy Street.
Each John Lewis department store has a community liaison coordinator to work with local groups in identifying needs and providing resources such as free meeting space or volunteers recruited from store staff. These personal connections help the retailer integrate more fully into the everyday life of the community, a key element in social responsibility.
Take a look at the John Lewis Partnership's social responsibility page for info about other steps the retailer is taking to connect with its communities.
