Member Article

intu Metrocentre staff stretch their legs for National Walking Month

Staff at Europe’s largest covered shopping and leisure centre are hitting the malls this May for National Walking Month as part of a campaign to promote the health benefits of walking.

intu, owners of intu Metrocentre, has been encouraging staff to walk for an extra twenty minutes per day as part of its commitment to improving health and wellbeing for staff and shoppers alike.

Throughout May the national campaign highlights the benefits and pleasure that walking can bring as well as the positive impact that it has on the nation’s overall health. It is estimated that in the UK we are walking a third less than we were twenty years ago so just twenty minutes each day can help people get active and feel more connected to the community they live in.

For intu Metrocentre staff there’s no better time to take advantage of the 5000 metres of mall that make up the shopping centre, to increase their step count and hit their personal walking targets.

Staff have been successfully incorporating twenty minute walks into their daily routine in a number of ways - from setting themselves weekly step goals and taking a short walk during their lunch break to opting for walking meetings rather than being in the board room; all of which contributes to establishing a healthier lifestyle by increasing energy, reducing stress, improving sleeping patterns and increasing heart health.

Gavin Prior, regional centre director at intu Metrocentre, said:

“Getting active through walking is a fantastic way to improve your physical health and emotional wellbeing, no matter your level of fitness.

“We’ve had such a positive response to this campaign from all of our staff and some have even been inspired to take it to the next level and sign up for Couch to 5k.

“The north east is a beautiful region and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the campaign motivate staff to plan weekend walks to explore the countryside or take in some sea air at the coast.

“We’ll soon be introducing a walking route map for intu Metrocentre so that visitors can get a better idea of the miles they’re clocking up while browsing the shops – a great way to increase overall activity levels while enjoying the nation’s favourite pastime!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Suhaine Baptie .