Plymouth City Council

Outcome of Expression of Interest: Not shortlisted

Working with our Local Strategic Partners (South Hams and West Devon) we have identified a number of spaces that are available for pop up stalls, street traders, workshop space, small events, entertainment, culture, leisure and promotions. These areas are key to drive income through short leases / charges but also to create vibrancy and interest in areas where footfall is in decline (for example high streets).

At the moment the communication and administration associated with this is paperwork is resource heavy and we feel that an online availability / booking platform would assist with data capture and analysis, governance and risk management, tracking of income, payments etc but could also be used in a public facing way to advertise the ‘street’ by public engagement and promotion of these activities / services / producers and suppliers. Creating a digital space for your high street / public domain / city centre offer will help drive footfall, increase local interest, increase vibrancy of these area and enable small / local companies a route to market

 

Discovery evidence

Based on the publication https://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk/pdf/Successful-Town-Centres.pdf and our internal research we have found that space within public domain areas can raise revenue, add to the interest and sense of place, add vibrancy and encourage footfall. All 3 local authorities have a number of spaces available to this type of activity and are using them to generate income and to encourage visitors, but having a way to manage the administration and paperwork is time consuming and creates a large amount of work.

Having a platform in which we can encourage online registration, uploading of documents (such as insurance) and booking will automate much of the process, confirm bookings, show availability and de-risk the administration process, ensuring all the required information is held.

We have also found that unless you are actually in the vicinity of these areas you may not know what is happening. We would like to provide public information into what’s on which will help promote / engage and encourage public participation and drive footfall, which will lead to the vibrant and well used spaces we all want.

  • Digital leadership training (for council leaders, service managers or senior executives)
  • Introduction to service design
  • Introduction to delivery management
  • Introduction to digital business analysis