Creating a ‘forward framework’ for Halesworth town centre Chris Wade, Director aka @man about towns Creating a ‘forwardUnderstanding framework’ for Halesworth Undertaken by the People & Places Partnership on behalf of East Council and in conjunctionEast with the Suffolk Halesworth Town towns Centre Group with Halesworth Town Council in association with Halesworth Business Connections, Halesworth Tourism Group and Halesworth Neighbourhood Plan Group

in association with

https://people-places.net/revitalising- halesworth-town-centre/ Relaunched national toolkit for revitalising town centres

https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/economic-growth/revitalising-town- centres-toolkit-councils The ‘forward framework’ process

Gathering Creating Turning evidence partnerships around towns • survey • engaging • planning • analysis • organising • delivery • influence Gathering & sharing evidence

Baseline survey • Stakeholder engagement • 12 key performance indicators (KPIs) • Town centre metrics • Business confidence • User’s (on-street & on-line) • Digital development • 200 town centre users • 112 businesses (51%) • Detailed & summary reports • comparisons https://eastsuffolkmeansbusiness.co.uk/business- support/resources/town-centre-support/ Town turnover Change in business turnover during last 12 months 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Increased Stayed the same Decreased National East Suffolk Halesworth Businesses’ likes

Local customers Physical appearance Tourist customers Cafes/pubs/restaurants Mix of retail offer Prosperity of town Geographical location Events/activities Car parking Footfall

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Halesworth National An East Suffolk perspective

Businesses' Positive Perceptions (Locality) 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Geographical Physical Labour pool Property Availability of Affordable location appearance costs premises housing Fram. Halesworth Woodbridge East Suffolk Averages Understanding customers

Main Purpose of Visit Duration of Visit

Other Other

All day Leisure

Access services 4-6 hours

Comparison 2-4 hours shopping Convenience 1-2 hours shopping

Work <1 hour

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Halesworth East Suffolk National Halesworth East Suffolk National Customers’ likes

Ease of walking Cleanliness Physical appearance Customer service Independent shops Access to services Cafes/ restaurants Safety Convenience Pubs/ bars

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Halesworth % National % COVID-19 & beyond

https://people-places.net/a-safe-warm-welcome-back-to-town/ Understanding COVID-19 impacts

1a. How significant an impact do you think the COVID-19 crisis has had on such perceptions & priorities about using Halesworth town centre?

1b. Do we need to learn more about this? Creating partnerships

Gathering Creating Turning evidence partnerships around towns • survey • engaging • planning • analysis • organising • delivery • influence From evidence to engagement

Building a ‘town team’ ➢ Raise awareness of survey ➢ Organise any volunteers ➢ Publish findings ➢ Arrange stakeholder events ➢ Create working groups ➢ Develop projects to meet needs ➢ Produce action plan ➢ Establish team/partnership ‘how’ to get organised & deliver: folk, form, finances & forward framework Proposed partnership themes

Communication & coordination

Planning, Marketing, travel & events & streetscape digital ‘Rowing in the same direction’ Co-ordination & communication link

• small & hands-on in supporting role • putting-together framework • coordinating across organisations, working groups & projects Co-ordination & • communicating progress to communication partners, stakeholders & community • comprising district, town council & business group(s) • monthly, virtual catch-ups initially

2. What are your thoughts on this role & who is involved? Turning around towns

Gathering Creating Turning evidence partnerships around towns • survey • engaging • planning • analysis • organising • delivery • influence From understanding to action: Southwold’s Forward Framework

https://people-places.net/developing-an- evidence-base-in-southwold/ https://people-places.net/revitalising- halesworth-town-centre/

Coordinated across East Suffolk

https://eastsuffolkmeansbusiness.co.uk/town-centre-support/ Reviewing Haleworth’s town centre checklist

https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/economic-growth/revitalising-town- centres-toolkit-councils/town-centre-checklist-self Theme 1: Planning, travel & streetscape A place to park

Parking Spaces 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Spaces (busy day) Spaces (quiet day) National East Suffolk Halesworth Customer perceptions of place

Customers' Negative Perceptions (Streetscene) 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Physical appearance Cleanliness Convenience Safety Aldeburgh Beccles Bungay Halesworth Leiston Saxmundham Southwold Wickham Market Woodbridge East Suffolk Average Variable foot-flow An East Suffolk comparison 250

200

150

100

50

0 Busy day Quiet day Aldeburgh Beccles Bungay Framlingham Halesworth Leiston Saxmundham Southwold Wickham Market Woodbridge East Suffolk average Getting into & around town

• devising, managing & delivering action plan for this theme • over-seeing project delivery Planning, • travel & comprising county, district, town council, Neighbourhood Plan group streetscape & special interest groups • updating coordinating group • quarterly meetings

3. What are your thoughts on the role & representation for this theme? Theme 2: Marketing, events & digital Customers’ changing experience

Worsened

Stayed the same

Changed -good & bad

Improved

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Online On-street Customer perceptions Understanding the business mix

Balance of Staples versus Gourmet Food 6.0% 5.0% 4.0% 3.0% 2.0% 1.0% 0.0%

Staples Gourmet Business perceptions

Businesses' Positive Perceptions (Partnership & Promotion) 100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% Events/activities Marketing/promotions Local partnerships Aldeburgh Beccles Bungay Fram. Halesworth Leiston Saxmundham Southwold Wickham Market Woodbridge East Suffolk Averages Developing digital (customers)

Wi-Fi coverage

Digital phone network

Regular updates

Online sales

Social media

Websites

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 1 (not useful) 2 3 4 5 (very useful) Feeling promotional: working group

• devising, managing & delivering action plan to boost appeal • over-seeing delivery of branding, Events, promotion, events & digital marketing & • comprising business groups(s), digital district council (incl. Smart Towns) plus special interests such as Scarecrow Festival • updating coordinating group • quarterly meetings

4. Any thoughts on role & representation? Putting a plan together https://people-places.net/revitalising- halesworth-town-centre/ Creating a ‘Forward Framework’

https://people-places.net/creating-a-forward-framework-for- town-centre-revitalisation/ 5. How would your organisation like Next stepsto for be involvedHalesworth in taking these next steps? 1. Feedback on the issues & potential ways of working 2. Representatives of Town Council & business group(s) getting together to talk in more detail 3. Agreeing on way to involve wider stakeholders in theme- based groups 4. Drafting an action plan of priorities & responsibilities 5. Finalising a ‘forward framework’ that covers ‘how’ work can be delivered. 6. Drawing-down East Suffolk Town Initiative support for ‘quick wins’. 7. Engaging with ‘Smart Towns’ opportunities Creating Halesworth’s Let’s talk! ‘Forward Framework’

Forward Framework • key stakeholders • getting organised • action planning • delivery & funds Help & guidance

https://people-places.net/revitalising-halesworth-town-centre/