It hasn’t been the easiest of times for shopping centres in the past couple of years, so people in Boscombe will be pleased to hear that Peter Ruscoe, the Sovereign Shopping Centre manager is one of only seven finalists in the ‘Small Centre, Centre Manager of the Year’ award in the annual SCEPTRE awards.

Peter Ruscoe has been nominated after successfully showing his passion and dedication to the Sovereign Shopping Centre over the past year and through the difficult Covid period. In the last 12 months alone, Peter has introduced environmental and community initiatives and contributed significantly to new lettings within the centre, all of which have contributed to a rise in footfall with figures showing an increase of three per cent against pre Covid levels, significantly bucking the national trend.

On Wednesday 16 November, the shortlisted nominees and the best in the industry will gather to find out who will be crowned the winners.

Peter, who also sits on the board of Bournemouth Coastal BID, said: “I’m honoured to be shortlisted for the SCEPTRE awards as it recognises all the hard work invested by the team in the running of successful shopping centres. I’m very thankful for the nomination and hope that even if I’m not announced as the winner, I can continue to prove my dedication towards the centre and the regeneration of Boscombe.”