TSP Makes Third Awards Shortlist of 2026

Furlong Shopping Centre’s Lara Faramus Shortlisted for Centre Manager of the Year

Lara Faramus, Centre Manager at Furlong Shopping Centre in Ringwood, has been shortlisted for Centre Manager of the Year (Small Venue) at the SCEPTRE Awards 2026.

The nomination caps a standout year for the 92,000 sq ft centre. Footfall finished 2025 up 5.3% year-on-year, more than ten times the UK benchmark of 0.5%, while Furlong reached full occupancy with a waiting list following new lettings to Hotel Chocolat, Velvetiser Café, Sweaty Betty, Futon Company, The White Company and Clarendon Fine Art. Tenant retention has held at 100% over the past year.

Food and beverage trading has been equally strong: Arboro Lounge posted a record £131,341 in March, while Boston Tea Party ran 9% ahead of budget and 15% up year-on-year.

Lara is on site daily, keeping in constant contact with occupiers through a centre-wide WhatsApp group, bi-monthly meetings and detailed reporting – support that helped guide one independent perfumery to win Independent Retailer of the Year. Her placemaking programme, from monthly Artisan Markets to an annual Eco-Fair and summer Garden Party, alongside partnerships behind Ringwood’s Charter Market, Carnival and Christmas events, has made Furlong a genuine community hub.

The centre’s sustainability record is just as strong, with 100% of waste recycled, zero sent to landfill, a full LED car park upgrade and a “Pardon the Weeds & We Are Feeding the Bees” biodiversity campaign. Lara has also raised over £30,000 for the Poppy Appeal and supported a number of local charities and causes.

Beyond the numbers, Lara has twice this year gone far beyond the call of duty: staying with a customer for over two hours after a medical collapse until help arrived, and performing CPR on another member of the public in medical distress.

Winners of the SCEPTRE Awards 2026 will be announced in September 2026.