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 Suffolk 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 • East Suffolk 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 Aldeburgh Beccles Bungay Fram. Halesworth Leiston Saxmundham Southwold Wickham Market 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 Framlingham 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/