Leicestershire Market Towns Research Final Report Table of Contents Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction and Context ......................................................................................... 11 2. Methodology ........................................................................................................... 20 3. Ashby-de-la-zouch .................................................................................................... 24 4. Blaby ....................................................................................................................... 37 5. Coalville ................................................................................................................... 49 6. Earl Shilton and Barwell ........................................................................................... 63 7. Hinckley ................................................................................................................... 75 8 Loughborough ........................................................................................................... 89 9 Lutterworth ............................................................................................................ 102 10. Market Harborough ............................................................................................. 110 11. Melton Mowbray ................................................................................................. 122 12. Shepshed ............................................................................................................. 136 13. Wigston ............................................................................................................... 146 14. Conclusions and Recommendations ...................................................................... 159 APPENDIX 1: Focus Groups ........................................................................................... 173 APPENDIX 2: Town Centre Census Output Area ............................................................. 175 APPENDIX 3: Town Centre WORKPLACE ZONE............................................................17576 APPENDIX 4: Town Centre Maps ................................................................................17778 APPENDIX 5: Project Proformas .................................................................................18586 Leicestershire Market Towns Research- Final Report 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction and Context In November 2015, ERS was commissioned to undertake an economic study relating to 11 market towns across Leicestershire. The research sought to highlight and fill gaps in economic knowledge, identify current issues and develop/recommend project ideas. It was based largely on an extensive review of documentation, comprehensive data analysis and (at least) two focus groups in each town, involving strategic stakeholders and local business representatives. This report includes separate chapters on each of the 11 market towns, as well as overall conclusions and recommendations. A profile of each of the Boroughs/Districts within which these towns are located is published as a companion document. The rise in internet shopping and changing strategies of many multiple retailers (to fewer sites with bigger catchment areas) has impacted negatively on market towns across the country. As a result, long-term shifts towards high streets which are more orientated to service provision than retail can be expected to continue. For its part, Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) has set out its priorities in its Strategic Economic Plan (SEP). These divide between Place, Business and People. Place In respect of Place, amongst the ‘Growth Areas’ are: Coalville Growth Corridor, Loughborough and South West Leicestershire’, and amongst the ‘Transformational Priorities’ is Loughborough University Science & Enterprise Parks. This is an opportunity for people working in those growth areas to utilise the adjacent town centres. In respect of place, Leicestershire’s market towns are especially well placed to do the following: Lever in new investment Contribute to new employment space Host more business start ups Accommodate new homes Generate new jobs Business Town centres play a key role in respect of tourism and whilst some of the towns are already established visitor destinations (perhaps most notably Market Harborough and Melton Mowbray) most have potential for further development. In addition, some towns play significant roles in respect of professional services whilst larger settlements have also attracted technology-based businesses. In all cases, there is scope for business support to enable local firms to enhance their offer and become more sustainable. In respect of business, Leicestershire’s market towns are especially well placed to do the following: Be the focus for dedicated business support Provide support for growth by providing the right environment and infrastructure for growth. Leicestershire Market Towns Research- Final Report 3 People Whilst there is undoubtedly a case for investments to enhance the built environment, equally there is a need to invest in people to ensure that businesses can fully exploit opportunities and individuals have the skills to maximise their employment prospects. In respect of people, Leicestershire’s market towns are especially well placed to do the following: Enhancement of retail and hospitality skills Retention of local people and development of the knowledge economy In addition, LLEP has identified eight key sectors which will support the delivery of the aims and objectives outlined in the SEP and ESIF Strategies. In respect of current sector priorities, the area common to all market towns is tourism and hospitality. In addition, specific towns have strengths and potential in respect of other sector priorities, including food and drink manufacturing, creative industries and professional/financial services. How the four relevant sector growth plans relate to issues within these Market Towns and how town centres can be utilised to deliver actions within the sector growth plans is summarised below. Food and Drink Sector Growth Plan There is evidence that localised food and drink offers can develop and enhance cultural identity and instil community pride and sense of place. There is a need to introduce measures to promote a Leicestershire brand, not just for Food and Drink, but linked to the identity of our Market Towns. This sector is strongest in Melton Mowbray and surrounding areas which has been designated as a Food Enterprise Zone, allowing relaxations to planning in order to attract new businesses. Opportunities exists to build on the Farmers Markets held in market towns across the County, and to use food festivals as a means of raising awareness of local producers and delivering economic impacts by extending the tourism season and attracting additional visitors. Farmers Markets provide an opportunity for new “kitchen table” micro businesses to test and launch their products and the inter-relationship between the market town and these businesses needs to be harnessed. Creative Industries Sector Growth Plan Across Leicester and Leicestershire, around 8,000 people work in the creative industries, one third of them employed in tourism-related activities. Whilst one third of these jobs are in Leicester, the other two thirds are spread across the County, with Market Harborough having the largest concentration, followed by Charnwood (in and around Loughborough) and Hinckley (with creative hubs such as the Atkins building). A key project is to develop a Creative Quarters Agency for Leicester and Leicestershire linking with the University of Loughborough and Atkins Building in Hinckley. Another proposed project is to celebrate a Leicestershire Design Festival to showcase commercial and creative businesses which could be hosted in the County’s market towns. Loughborough Generator creative hub project is specifically mentioned and there is a need to grow hubs in town centres, building on existing ones, such as the Atkins Building in Hinckley or creating new ones which could link to the proposed key sites officer and the development of business accommodation on vacant/derelict sites Leicestershire Market Towns Research- Final Report 4 Textiles Sector Growth Plan There is heavy clustering of textile manufacturing firms around Leicester City but there is a significant presence around Hinckley, as well as activity in Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Loughborough. Many of the larger factories have been converted into housing in towns such as Earl Shilton and the skills of the workforce have been lost. Many clothing headquarters are located in the County even if manufacturing has reduced. The action plan states that greater retail links need to be made and this sector could be used to brand some of the Market Towns in the same way that Food and Drink is used in Melton Mowbray. Tourism and Hospitality Growth Plan Benefits of a localised food and drink offer have helped to assist regeneration elsewhere and could be replicated in Leicestershire. Examples exist of increased number and quality of restaurants, and food and drink establishments working collaboratively with each other, thereby helping to encourage new mixed use developments. This then increases the volume and value of tourism and creates new jobs. There is a need to