Thanks to effective teamwork, which allowed the structure to be adapted in record time, Antegnate Gran Shopping, in the province of Bergamo, is among the first shopping centres in Italy to host a vaccination hub. The structure was designed to host the vaccination campaign, with an estimated rate of about 1,000 patients per day, from Monday to Saturday, with the possibility of extending it to Sunday as well.
The centre was set up on the basis of the needs of ASST Bergamo Ovest, in a room of 400 square meters, with separate entry and exit gates. The management of Antegnate Gran Shopping, in addition to ensuring adaptation of the building and the complete set-up of a room in the gallery, took action by getting the public transport service enhanced. The Local Public Transport Company of the Bergamo District has ordered the diversion of two inter-municipal bus lines, with an special bus stop in front of the mall. The vaccination campaign was planned due to the emergence of new outbreaks between the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia, and began on Friday 26 February.
"This was an important opportunity that we immediately seized," explains Marco Mutti, Managing Partner of Forum Real Estate Management, "The design of the vaccine point was very well managed, thanks to the special collaboration between Cushman & Wakefield and Northwood Investors, which manages the property owner's fund, allowing us to arrive in advance of the set deadlines. We are happy to be able to demonstrate how the Antegnate Gran Shopping Shopping Centre has been able to reap the benefits of a ten-year collaboration with the area, developing it to its maximum in the most important moment for the lower Bergamo area. Guido Bertolaso being present at the opening of the vaccination hub, gave further visibility to the project from an institutional point of view. "
Joachim Sandberg, Head of Italy of Cushman & Wakefield, declared: "It is a privilege to be able, with this project, to translate into reality what are also the provisions of the Draghi Government for an acceleration of the vaccination campaign and a point of pride for shopping centres that are taking an active part in offering the communities and the area their active support, in a time of difficulty, but also of vision for the future. In the last 12 months the market, consumption patterns and lifestyles, spaces and ways of shopping have been disrupted by radical changes. Today, with this further transformation, shopping centres demonstrate their resilience: they welcome new social functions in the context of shopping. Of course, we hope to soon be able to go back to shopping, socializing, having fun and experimenting in shopping centres, and the start of the vaccination campaign is a source of confidence. But this project has strengthened the role of the centres as an engine of growth and solidarity for the communities, and the commitment of all stakeholders will be needed to maintain this direction."
Northwood Investors is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the ASST Bergamo Ovest Social Health Department in order to create this important service for the community.
Antegnate Gran Shopping was the first to respond to the appeal, but other centres managed by Cushman & Wakefield are also gearing up throughout the country.
From 2 March Freccia Rossa in Brescia will host 6 vaccination lines on an area of 1,200 square meters. The first users to receive the vaccine will be teachers and law enforcement personnel. Centro Universo in Silvi Marina will also come into operation at the beginning of March, at a rate of approximately 250 doses per day, according to the priorities established by the Government. The first 500 citizens have already been identified, all residents of the area, who will receive treatment in the next few days. The appointments for those at risk and for the rest of the population of the Municipality of Silvi will follow.
