Cornmill Shopping Centre Wins National CSR Excellence Award for “Cuppa with a Copper”
We are proud to announce some incredible news! Cornmill Shopping Centre has officially been named a CSR Excellence Award Winner, receiving national recognition for our community safety initiative, “Cuppa with a Copper.”
The international CSR Excellence Awards celebrate “companies with a heart,” and we couldn’t be prouder to represent Darlington on this prestigious stage. Our team will attend the official ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on the 1st of June, where we will find out if we’ve secured a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award!
What is “Cuppa with a Copper”?
Born from a strategic partnership between Cornmill’s Centre Manager Zoe France and PCSO Ben Holmes, the initiative was designed to increase police visibility and foster a safer, more connected environment for everyone in Darlington.
By creating a welcoming, informal space to have a chat over a cup of tea, we’ve successfully humanised local policing and bridged the gap between authorities and the public.
The Impact: A Safer Darlington
Since the launch of the programme, we have seen results nothing short of transformative:
90% Reduction in Anti-Social Behaviour: We have seen a massive drop in incidents across the centre.
Lower Crime Rates: The reduction in anti-social behaviour has directly linked to fewer instances of theft and damage throughout the town.
Improved Atmosphere: Our tenants and shoppers report feeling significantly safer, allowing the community to enjoy their shopping experience in a more relaxed environment.
“We are incredibly proud to see our community efforts recognised with a CSR Excellence Award win. We remain committed to working in partnership with our community to create spaces where every shopper feels heard, supported and connected. Our tenants have reported that they feel safer, and the atmosphere in the centre has improved significantly.” — Zoe France, Centre Manager.
A Growing Collaboration
What started as a local effort has evolved into a powerhouse of multi-stakeholder collaboration. As of 2026, the initiative now includes:
- Esquires Coffee
- Civic Enforcement & Community Safety Managers
- The Youth Justice Team
- The Police and Crime Commissioner Representative
- Trading Standards (Newly joined to strengthen consumer protection!)
Looking Ahead
At Cornmill, we aren’t stopping here. We continue to host regular “Cuppa with a Copper” meetings and are actively working with neighbouring shopping centres to scale this initiative, ensuring as many people as possible benefit from this supportive community network.
Want to join the conversation? Keep an eye on our What’s On page for the next meeting date or follow us on social media for the latest updates on our community initiatives.
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