Across the country, lockdown has reminded many people about the value of community spirit and finding enjoyment in where they live. Leading managing agent Rendall & Rittner has always recognised that community is a priority in building successful developments, but current circumstances have brought this into even sharper focus. In giving its residents a level of service that goes above and beyond, Rendall Rittner’s innovative Residents’ Club is just one way the company is helping enrich the lives of residents at the developments it manages.
Rendall & Rittner launched its Residents’ Club four years ago, offering exclusive deals and discounts as well as bespoke events to anyone living in a property managed by them. With lockdown restrictions putting a hold on events, restaurants and leisure activities, the Club reinvented itself into a portal of magazine-style lifestyle content aimed to inform and entertain. And now as the restrictions start to lift, the Residents’ Club is providing updates on which shops, cafes and other outlets within developments are reopening, providing useful information, and encouraging people to support local businesses.
Stewart Brown, Operations Director at Rendall & Rittner comments: “We see repeatedly that community feeling contributes significantly to the mood and wellbeing of individuals and that’s what we want to encourage. We pride ourselves on offering more than the average property manager and the Residents’ Club is something designed to bring people together, provide them with useful information and special deals, and just make them feel part of a community. Now as the country emerges from lockdown, maintaining that sense of neighbourliness will be important and one good thing to have come out of the situation. We are strongly committed to playing our part in developing strong and sustainable communities, as they adjust to the new normal and into the future.”
Over the past four years, the Residents’ Club initiative has gone from strength to strength and currently has over 6,500 members signed up. Before lockdown the Resident’s Club entitled holders to discounts on an array of restaurants, spas, Virgin Active Gyms and Thames Clippers, as well as free tickets to events such as Taste of London, as well as bespoke West End theatre evenings. It has also provided a place for residents to come together, with many friendships formed during events.
In a recent review, Resident’s Club member Ruth Crow said: “I thought it was very enterprising and comforting to have unexpected news items from our Residents’ Club at this difficult time. There were notes on health matters such as how to sleep well that gave me a feeling of community, despite the unusual treats on offer such as special prices for restaurants and theatres being unavailable. Thank you to all who organize interesting events and news items encouraging friendliness for our community.”
Over the past three months with lives restricted due to the pandemic, the Residents’ Club has focused on providing carefully curated, useful information for residents via regular e-newsletters and a dedicated website section. Topical themes include places for artisan food deliveries during lockdown, a what’s on guide, UK holiday ideas and articles covering a range of wellbeing matters.
Stewart Brown continues: “We believe we are offering something that other managing agents in London aren’t. This is all about making residents feel looked after and adding value for them. At the moment, we see the Residents’ Club as an extension of the concierge services they receive, with ready access to lots of information that is relevant to their lifestyles and interests. During the current times, we believe that we have even more of a duty of care towards our residents and so wellbeing is an important topic. We are committed to continuing to invest in the Residents’ Club in the future and develop it in line with what our residents want and value.”
