Changes in demographics, shopping
habits, competition, lifestyle, legislation, uses of leisure time and
economic fluctuations have all played their part in changing some towns
from being a hive of activity and a focal point, where business was
conducted to little more than 'backwaters'.
Regeneration initiatives
sometimes fail or have limited success because of a combination of lack
of communication, interest, involvement, direction, vision, commitment
or ownership - leaving the loyal few to soldier on and champion
activity.
'Money
follow Vision' - GVA's experience shows time and again, that by
creating an atmosphere where a realistic and agreed Vision and Action
Plan can be produced, this ownership and sincerity proves to be a
persuasive factor in attracting funding for the projects identified.
'Knowledge is Power' - Knowledge of the bigger UK picture
and the current techniques and skills used to remain a competitive force
can eradicate the emotional charge so often associated with regeneration
activity, replacing it with rational debate and dialog, resulting in
constructive approaches and outcomes.
'Partnership' - an often overused word, and as one
successful businessman observed - partnerships are great when everything
is going OK, but it's everyone for themselves when the going gets tough!
GVA aim to get townspeople
willingly and voluntarily forming active working relationships,
producing positive results.
GVA have found that by creating
a positive and forward looking mind-set, people learn from the past and
try not to recreate it!
GVA created
Towns Alive to
address the very points detailed above.
If you have a community, be it
a town, city or village that needs to:
-
address change
-
regenerate
-
create community strategies
and plans
-
galvanise certain sectors of
the town into action
-
create action plans
-
conduct a Healthcheck
-
get businesses working
together to develop and grow
-
develop or reconstitute a
'sleeping' forum or group
-
get local people more
involved
-
enthuse and engage people
-
develop bids for funding
-
conduct feasibility studies
-
prioritise action plans
-
reappraise what has already
been done
then get
in touch with GVA.
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