the watermark, ivybridge: meeting needs, raising aspirations, delivering results keith brown &...
TRANSCRIPT
The Watermark, Ivybridge: Meeting Needs, Raising Aspirations,
Delivering Results
Keith Brown & Angela King
Devon Reinvestment Service
Devon Reinvestment Service• Who are we?
– Partnership of Devon County Council (Regeneration), Wessex Reinvestment Trust & Business in the Community
• What do we do?– Assist communities to develop assets:
– Community engagement– Partnership Building– Property Development Skills– Finance & Business Planning– Whole Project Management Approach
What is ‘The Watermark’, Ivybridge?
• Multi-purpose community hub– New 450sqm library
– ICT centre/training space
– One Stop Info shop/ TIC
– Large multi-purpose hall
– Meeting rooms
– Function catering, bar & cafe
– Serviced business space
• £5m partnership project• Completed April 2008
Purpose & Aims
– ‘Community Anchor’ to act as a ‘focal point’ for local service delivery
– Welcoming, bright, family-friendly space
– Bring increased footfall into the town
– Increase local business confidence & encourage new enterprise
– Ultimately, to create a more sustainable, self-sufficient community
Achievement so far….
• Outcome:
‘Community Anchor’ /
‘Welcoming, friendly space’
• Evidence (April 08-09):– 7 day a week usage– >200,000 visitors– 161% increase in library visits– 573 events/bookings– >30,000 requests for info– Volunteering – ‘Friends of’ group– New local access to services e.g.
CAB, new Ivybridge Carers Group
Achievements so far…..
• Outcome:
‘Increased Business
Confidence’
• Evidence:– High occupancy rates for Watermark
business units– 22 FTE posts & numerous p/t posts– Monthly business networking events– Reinvigorated Chamber of Trade – Nearly 50% less empty town centre
shops; 13 businesses expanded / improved & 9 new enterprises
– £50,000 spend on local food– 66% of suppliers within 15 miles
Recognised regionally/nationally!
Why has it worked?
• Strong business case – built on evidence of need
• Strong & dynamic partnership – vision & determination
• Strong leadership & project management
• Pooling of skills & resources• Strong PR & marketing
message• On-going ‘check-back’ &
responsiveness throughout design/development & beyond
• Robust monitoring & evaluation – proving success
Project Origins: Rooted in the Community
MCTI Community Plan TOP PRIORITY PROJECT to address:
– Exponential population growth – 3,500 in 1970’s to over 12,500 now - plus lack of community facilities & infrastructure
– Lack of ‘market town’ presence/ heart & further threats from major new commercial developments
– Large rural hinterland with poor access to services– Lack of support for entrepreneurs/business start-ups –
affordable premises, training & advice– Lack of opportunities to retain young people/those of
employment age
However, 3 years of consultation failed at first to attract statutory sector support/investment – needed help to prove the case..
Digging Deeper….
• DRS help to uncovered & demonstrate local issues & needs around 5 themes:– Employment prospects & new business ideas– Access to services– Training, learning, new skills– Culture – film, performance, arts, exhibitions– Pride - restoring the heart of ‘our’ market townExplored & tested in variety of waysDetailed feasibility work & options appraisal
Gathering Hard Evidence
• Demographics of the town held the clues!– e.g. Women returners– e.g. Cultural ‘leak’
• Variety of techniques to test suspicions – questionnaires, taster sessions, targeted events….
• Pieced together the jigsaw to create the whole picture - convinced funders & the rest is history!
A Lasting Impact/Legacy..
• Building for the future – anticipates growth, flexibility of design, state of the art technology
• Visibility – landmark building, heart of the town, increasing pride & confidence
• Changing fortunes – a reason to come to/stay in Ivybridge, creating new markets, providing quality facilities & services not previously available, challenging perceptions.
• In-built sustainability – local involvement/lead, robust monitoring, reduced need to travel.
• Motivation – for Ivybridge - & elsewhere!
Key Messages for Today
• Building a clear business case for investment decisions
• Going beyond / beneath published sources of information
• DCC as an enabler to help communities to prove that need themselves
• No blueprint – investment must reflect identified local need/circumstances
Want to find out more?
Forthcoming event:Developing Community Assets
Next THURSDAY @ THE WATERMARK
www.devon.gov.uk/developingcommunitiesfacilities.htm
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01392 382157