Member Article

Portas Pilots move into next phase

The Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) will lead the Government’s Portas Pilots for the next two years.

The Department of Communities & Local Government selected the body to help UK high streets and town centres.

Each pilot received up to £100,000 in government funds to develop projects with input from local authorities, town councils, local businesses and communities.

ATCM chief executive Martin Blackwell said: “Together with our partners, we are creating a comprehensive set of tools and providing expert guidance focused on specific problems in - and solutions for - each area. The knowledge gained will be useful to all towns and cities, not just in England but in the rest of the UK and further afield.

“Some of the funding has already been well used to generate ‘quick wins’ on local community levels. Other funds have been allocated to target longer range problems as well as ensuring widespread ‘buy in’ from local residents as well as businesses and authorities.

“What is important is not how much of the Portas money has already been spent, but what is actually happening on the ground, including consultations and match funding that is being levered through the Portas vision.

“Professional management of town centres and high streets is as essential to their success as good planning and private sector investment. There is an evidence base that shows managed towns perform better and we are expanding the concept of management during the daylight “retail” hours into the evening and night time economies through such efforts as Purple Flag.”

Beginning April 1, ATCM will provide support on business planning; workshops; one-to-one advice; and access to mentors and partners.

James Miller, lead consultant at Experian, said: “We have been working with the ATCM for some time and last year published a significant review of the future of the UK’s town centres focusing on key demographic, economic, consumer and technological trends up to the year 2020.

“We will now be able to provide detailed analysis for all eight English regions, expanding on trends and potential adaptation strategies - delivering actionable reports to Portas Pilots and Town Teams at a series of regional presentations.

“It is vital for every town and city to understand their market, both now and in the near future. This intelligence will help them respond more effectively to the significant drivers of town centre change - helping them survive and thrive in years to come. We’re pleased to be able to partner with the ATCM in this important endeavour.”

Joe Harrison, chief executive of the National Market Traders Federation said: “The NMTF is delighted to hear that ATCM have been selected as the appropriate organisation to head up the support of the Town Teams. In our opinion they are the ideal people to do so.

“As a long established market organisation and an ATCM partner, we will be supporting Town Teams with aspirations of developing or improving their market offer, particularly those who will be looking to encourage new business start-ups on their markets.

“This will start in late April with a series of roadshows that will be drop in events that will highlight just what we can offer.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .