Re-opening

There are a number of considerations to be made when re-opening our urban centres

Re-opening is an evolving process

Re-opening is ongoing and some places are potentially facing local lockdown. This means re-opening may happen more than once:

  • Communications and physical assets need to be adaptable and flexible to changing local circumstances and regulations.
  • We have been working with clients to bring buildings that have been vacant during lockdown back into use, ensuring they are safe for occupiers and visitors.

Communications have a critical role to play

Communications have an important role to play in re-opening to ensure people feel reassured and understand what to expect:

  • A number of clients have established ‘Task Forces’ to coordinate the responses and communications has been key.
  • Ensure advice is communicated in advance and through the appropriate channels. We have advised on various reopening projects to ensure communities are informed. During the first three months of lockdown we reached over 1 million people through a variety of digital and offline channels.
  • Signage has an important role to play and should be informative without becoming intimidating.
  • There is also potential to use a ‘concierge’ approach by welcoming people back to town centres and high streets whilst also disseminating information on a personal level. We are working with clients to increase the presence of existing ‘town makers’.

Support to retailers and local businesses

Demonstrating support to retailers and local businesses is vital:

  • Provide financial guidance and steering towards government grants or consider direct financial support.
  • Town centre operators should also consider exploring more practical measures to enable their re-opening, such as providing new websites, social distancing signage and information/support packs, to reach different demographics, who may have varying digital accessibility needs.

Click on the map below to explore the considerations that should be made in the immediate, medium and long term as we look to reopen, reanimate and reimagine our UK towns:

Planning for long term success

Luton Town Centre

We have been working with Luton Borough Council to develop a Recovery Plan that addresses the immediate issues around re-opening, confidence building in the safety of the town centre and developing events and attractors to encourage visitors who have become used to online shopping. In the medium term, identifying key interventions to improve the user experience and perception of the town centre.

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