Polestar Manchester #NoWasteofSpace initiative

Polestar Manchester gets ready to open its doors after #NoWasteofSpace initiative brings in more than four tonnes of food donations for local families in need

• 325 boxes of food weighing more than 4.4 tonnes – the equivalent of 10,000 meals – donated by media, staff, celebrities and the general public after the innovative electric car brand launched a lockdown campaign
  
• #NoWasteofSpace campaign is the start of an ongoing charity initiative for the Polestar Manchester Space – a modern alternative to a car showroom where customers can engage with brand ambassadors and be informed about Polestar products without pressure from commissioned sales people
  
• Using a fleet of Polestar 2 electric performance cars, which would otherwise be idle as test drives are prohibited by lockdown rules, Polestar’s Manchester team will deliver the boxes to local Fareshare charity hubs for onward distribution
  
• Polestar Manchester wanted to make the most of its staff and cars as it prepares to open to the public for the first time as restrictions lift  
  
• Situated in The Trafford Centre, the Space – staffed with commission-free Polestar Specialists – is conveniently located where people shop and enjoy entertainment  
  

After gathering more than four tonnes of food donations for the local community, in a charity initiative devised by staff, Polestar’s Manchester Space is set to open its doors to the public for the first time. 

Inspired by Marcus Rashford’s Feeding Britain’s Childrendocumentary, the staff at Polestar’s newest Space realised that during lockdown they could use their assets and resources to help the local community. Instead of waiting to open, they kick-started a charity campaign that involved all of Polestar’s UK staff, members of the media and various celebrities. The #NoWasteofSpace campaign gathered donations to be distributed via Fareshare UK’s local foodbank hubs. 

#NoWasteofSpace goes viral

Empty Polestar #NoWasteofSpace boxes were sent to unsuspecting but willing recipients to fill with non-perishable food and personal care items, for distribution to FareShare Greater Manchester and FareShare Merseyside. The response from those who took part was overwhelming and the hashtag quickly went viral on social media. Many participants even used the campaign as part of their home-schooling curriculum to teach their children the importance of giving without expecting to receive. 

Such was the willingness among followers of the brand to take part, with requests for empty boxes coming from celebrities, members of the public, automotive industry professionals and media, that Polestar UK had to commission a further run of 100 boxes. 

In the end, Polestar UK received 325 filled boxes, weighing 2.2 tonnes in total. Polestar UK has matched the donations kilo-for-kilo, raising the amount distributed to Fareshare UK to 4.4 tonnes. Fareshare UK says this is enough to provide more than 10,000 meals for vulnerable people in the Greater Manchester area. 

We could never have envisaged the incredible response

Jonathan Goodman, Head of Polestar UK, said: “We could never have envisaged the incredible response this campaign received, and the generosity of all who took part is truly heart-warming. In 2021 it’s awful to think that some of the nation’s most vulnerable are having to go without basic items, so I’m glad the Manchester team were able to use our resources to help such a worthy cause. We’re looking forward to continuing this effort once the Trafford Centre has re-opened, working with the other retailers and centre management to support the community around our latest Space.”

Celebrities taking part in the initiative included comedian Jason Manford and Dynasty actress Emma Samms. With Rashford’s documentary still a hot topic, the campaign also caught the imagination of the footballing community: Swedish international footballer and Manchester United player Victor Lindelöf shared his filled box on Instagram, and Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and Chelsea F.C Women players Pernile Harder and Magdalena Eriksson all dug deep for the cause.

We're so pleased to have Polestar at the centre

Zoe Inman, Centre Director at The Trafford Centre, said: “What a wonderful initiative from the incredible team behind the brand new Polestar Manchester Space at The Trafford Centre. The #NoWasteofSpace initiative has received huge support and will benefit so many families across Greater Manchester and Merseyside who have been struggling more than ever before due to the pandemic.

“We’re so pleased to have Polestar here at the Centre with its innovative and modern approach to retail and commitment to improving lives for local communities. Shoppers will love exploring their amazing Space when the Centre re-opens on 12thApril.”

Striking upon the idea to use their test drive cars – which have been sitting idle due to COVID-19 restrictions – the Manchester Space team will use the all-electric fleet to deliver the boxes in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way. Because of the quantities involved, 10 Polestar 2 models will be used to ferry the tower of boxes to Fareshare’s hubs, along with support from Geely group company LEVC, which supplied a VN5 electric van to assist with the deliveries.

The start of a long-term initiative aimed at making Polestar Spaces – where you outright can’t buy a car, but can learn about the brand and product in a convenient, consumer-focused location – community and event hubs rather than traditional automotive retail spaces, the #NoWasteofSpace campaign is set to continue throughout 2021 and beyond. The Manchester team will continue to utilise its assets and resources, working with other businesses in The Trafford Centre to help the community around it when and where it needs it most.

Miranda Kaunang, Head of Development at FareShare Greater Manchester, said: “The Covid-19 crisis has been particularly challenging for those we work with, so Polestar’s #NoWasteofSpace campaign is particularly timely. The efforts of the Polestar Manchester team while they wait to re-open has generated an incredible response. With over 10,000 meals donated through their initiative, this campaign will make a real difference to those in need. Thank you to everyone at Polestar.”

The Polestar 2 electric performance fastback starts from £49,900 (before government grant) and is available to buy exclusively online at polestar.com. Polestar Mancester is due to re-open in accordance with government guidelines on 12 April.