Levelling Up Lincolnshire - Professor Cathy Parker | Slides

Levelling Up: The role of policy, places and people

Professor Cathy Parker Chair, Institute of Place Management

Lead, High Streets Task Force

Michael Gove

“From day one, the defining mission of this government has been to level up this country, to break the link between geography and destiny so that no matter where you live you have access to the same opportunities.”

Boris Johnson

“For decades, too many communities have been overlooked and undervalued. As some areas have flourished, others have been left in a cycle of decline.”

Indices of Multiple

The role of policy

The role of places

Failure of policy to make change happen in places

• Change is pursued that is not consistent with best practice in local development –challenges and interventions are not local enough

• Leaders fail to exhibit a task or achievement orientation – there is no agenda for bringing about betterment (all strategy and little action)

• Building relationships with businesses and maintaining community engagement are not valued. Role of local place leaders and visions not respected

• No or too few resources are allocated to bring about change – especially, to empower and develop place partnerships

It puts place at the heart of policy, decisionmaking and action

What is a place-based approach?

It focuses on geographies/areas that are functional and have meaning (e.g. towns)

It draws on the assets in communities and addresses their challenges

It ‘joins up’ policies and funding

It builds leadership, management and coordination capacity

Booksellers as placemakers

The research survey

Activity

of booksellers contribute to the activation of the high street.

"We collaborate on issues such as opening hours and safety protocols, so that there is a level of consistency across the High Street."

Non-retail offer

94% of booksellers contribute to the non-retail offer and attractions on the high street.

"We work a lot with local schools - both the privileged and the less so. We organise authors to go into schools to talk to and meet children. We host groups of children in the bookshop for all sorts of activities. Storytelling for younger children, book clubs for older. This has a cyclical benefit for the whole high street - encourages children and their parents to visit both us and other shops around us."

Liveable

97% of booksellers contribute to the liveability of their area.

"We encourage our elderly customers to pop in even if it's just for a sit down and a chat, sometimes we're the only people they have spoken to."

Experience

of

the experience and of their centre

"We occasionally like to hide books around town to give something back to our customers and visitors to the town."

Attractiveness

94% of booksellers contribute to the economic attractiveness of the high street.

"We have taken on a unit that has been vacant for two years, and, opening in April this year, turned it into a vibrant part of the high street."

Merchandise

99% of booksellers contribute to the range/quality of goods on offer

"Our shop sells rare, collectable and second-hand books. We buy our stock from the local community, which supports the local circular economy. Our customers are our suppliers too, so we are perhaps even more embedded in the community than a bookshop that sells new products."

Appearance

99% of booksellers contribute to the appearance and cleanliness of their local area

"We work with local groups such as The Rural social Scheme and The Men's Shed to enhance the appearance of the village."

Necessities

86% of booksellers contribute to necessities and general facilities on the high street.

"It is shop policy that we welcome and support all customers:- allowing them to use the toilet, being very welcoming to children, making a cup of tea and providing an ear to someone who is having a bad day."

Networks and partnerships with council

80% of booksellers contribute to networks and partnerships with council and community leadership on the high street.

"We work closely with other businesses and the local council, to provide a range of events for the community: markets, children's entertainment, mini festivals."

Barriers to entry

75% of booksellers contribute to reducing barriers to entry and supporting new businesses on the high street.

“We offer tailored work experience for local young adults and teenagers."

Vision and strategy

69% of booksellers contribute to vision and strategy and collaboration on the high street.

"I am always seeking ways of involving others in town regeneration, I have noticed recently some individual initiatives for example a resident putting out planted tubs, the men's shed adopting a passage way and providing seating and plants. Perhaps more support for local ideas less emphasis on the "big" ideas and "strategies" more grass roots.“

"I am also a local councillor and am involved in Planning/Regeneration/Environment of the area, including co chairing with the City of London revitalising Petticoat Lane Market.“

“Inspirational local leaders, working in collaboration with all sections of their community have put a buzz back into their town centre”

Levelling Up: Dependent on policy, places and people

Questions

It puts place at the heart of policy, decision-making and action

What is a place-based approach?

It focuses on geographies/areas that are functional and have meaning (e.g. towns)

It draws on the assets in communities and addresses their challenges

It ‘joins up’ policies and funding

It builds leadership, management and coordination capacity (partnerships) at the local level

builds leadership, management

www.placemanagement.org