Withington Vital and Viable Workshop Quick Findings
Analysis of individual reponses • Over 40 workshop participants were asked to individually identify factors they believed affected the attractiveness of Withington • Collectively, the group identified 195 factors • The factors reflect both perceived strengths and weaknesses of the district centre • These have been grouped into the IPM’s 25 Factors – and so far we have simply counted the frequency each factor was mentioned
Negative perceptions of Withington 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Positive perceptions of Withington 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Withington: summary of key strengths/weaknesses Key strengths Key weaknesses Liveability Appearance Entertainment/Leisure Experience Diversity Walkability Accessibility Diversity Attractiveness Accessibility
Collective responses • Participants worked in groups to identify common or shared concerns • Each group was asked to consider what contributes to Withington’s appeal • Each groups was asked to prioritise what they thought were the most pressing issues affecting the vitality and viability of Withington
Withington: qualities identified by groups Priorities Evidence Diverse community Older people, student, middle-low income families Good night life Community civic buildings, services Good independent Retailers, bars, pop-ups offer
Withington: priorities identified by groups Priorities Evidence Appearance Unclean, shop front shutters, environment, attractiveness, poor general appearance Experience Traffic noise and pollution Recreational space Lack of public space to congregate Diversity Not enough worth staying for Walkability Pavements Accessibility Older/disabled people
REPOSITIONING REINVENTING REBRANDING RESTRUCTURING
realigning a centre’s function based on an understanding of its market position REINVENTING REBRANDING RESTRUCTURING
realigning a centre’s changing perceptions and function based on an image for a centre understanding of its market position REBRANDING RESTRUCTURING
realigning a centre’s changing perceptions and function based on an image for a centre understanding of its market position using branding and public relations to engage more effectively with a centre’s catchment RESTRUCTURING
realigning a centre’s changing perceptions and function based on an image for a centre understanding of its market position using branding and changing the physical public relations to and governance engage more characteristics of a effectively with a centre centre’s catchment
Repositioning Withington Increasing co-ordination of key local stakeholders – protect existing offer Take advantage of the extended activity hours e.g. co-ordinate local traders to collectively change trading times Improve the general experience (appearance, traffic) Reposition Withington – to enhance appeal to existing non-student local catchment within walking distance Track the effectiveness of interventions against the footfall data (volume, distribution of activity)
Reinventing Withington Basic improvements to appearance Strengthen the attractiveness of the Village – attracting additional key anchors Increasing the prominence of the existing evening economy offer Potential to extend dwell time in the early evening: using footfall data to track interventions
Rebranding Withington Low cost social media campaign to communicate the evening offer to local audiences Christies is a key anchor, opportunities to communicate the Village offer to visitors, employees etc. Communicate the value of Christies to local traders
Restructuring Withington Enhance the capacity of existing local partnerships/networks Share footfall data and analysis e.g. extended activity hours to encourage new users/investment in vacant units Longer term: physical regeneration to improve appearance, densification, and public space for events e.g. space in front of library, Copson St as a shared space, physical improvements to car park, walking routes within and into the centre, traffic calming
Withington Village Partnership Withington Village Partnership Withington Village Partnership Withington Village Partnership
Southway Housing Association The Christie Hospital Withington Withington Civic society Village Partnership Withington Baths Manchester City Council
Southway Wilderness Housing Records Association Burton Road Brewery The Christie Hospital A Curious Withington Withington We Are Collection Civic society Village Withington Partnership Withington Baths The Lock Inn Manchester City Council Solomons Other independents …
Southway Wilderness Housing Records Association Burton Road Brewery The Christie Hospital A Curious Withington Withington We Are Collection Civic society Village Withington Partnership Withington Baths The Lock Inn Manchester City Council Solomons Other independents …
Withington by Night - Withington by Night - impact impact Withington by Night Withington by Night - - impact impact
6.5% increase in footfall! 6.5% increase in footfall! 6.5% increase in footfall! 6.5% increase in footfall! Compared to the same Friday in 2018
30.2 increase in footfall! 30.2 increase in footfall! 30.2 increase in footfall! 30.2 increase in footfall! Compared to the average of the previous 52 consecutive Fridays
25-30% Intended Record Sold out Charity Regional increase to stay takings a shops media in takings open for a weekend reporting interest for a until 8pm Friday supply of best ever normal but ale in one opening Friday closed at night 11pm
wider policy implications Build local collaboration and their capacity to effect change Enhance existing local collaborations facilitated/co-ordinated by Neighbourhood Teams Establish sub-groups to take responsibility for specific themes/interventions Share data Build on existing strengths: independent traders, distinctive offer to other nearby district centres Improve appearance, branding, build community ownership or collective responsibility for the centre
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