The Business Benefits of Regeneration

Tavistock and the Tamar ValleyRobert Plumb; a personal perspective/October 2013

Summary

• The Role of Regeneration• West Devon Economy Delivery Plan,

Business Voice etc.• Tamar Valley Mining Heritage, WHS, AONBs

and all that• Tavistock THI and much much more• Where do we go from here?

Regeneration

• Talking about My Regeneration• It’s all about the local economy and helping

business• “The act of renewal, restoration and growth”• Urban Regeneration...”Typically goes

beyond the physical redevelopment of an area and will tackle social and economic activity”

EDP etc.

• Sites and Premises• Engaging Businesses• Maximising Funding opportunities• Developing Sectors and Supply Chains• Workforce Development• Business Support and Advice• Community Led Planning• Strategic working, research and intelligence

ED Grants

• £10,000 pa/up to £2,500 each• Last year:-• Chagford BA website• Start up growth support• Northlew Village Shop• Okehampton Events Manager• Tavistock Key Centre Studies• Dartmoor Way

TVMHP and all that

Now

Achievements

• £7m project• 120 Mine sites made safe and conserved• Tip stabilisation• 25kms of new multi-purpose trails for

walking/cycling and horse riding• New Tamar Trails Centre• Gawton Gravity Hub• Supports other businesses and jobs

Many a tear has to fall

• Morwellham• Gawton• Tavistock Gateway Centre

AONBs, WHS and THI

• Quality of the landscape fuels investment, attracts business, residents and visitors

• A thriving economy is the most effective way to preserve the landscape

• WHS – 2006 and all that!• Our World Class status to add to best market

town, food town and farmers market• Out of the TVMHP grew the Townscape

Heritage project

It ain’t easy

• Townscape Heritage Partnership formed in 2008

• Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

• Failed THI Bid• Non-starter in 2009, but we kept the

Partnership alive

Better together

• 2012 Olympics• Faster, Higher, Stronger - new team, new

can do attitude• Refocused bid• Community, Businesses and property

owners on board• Even the sun shines in 2013!• THI Stage 1 approval/Trail Centre launch

Stage 2

• Lead Consultants review the Appraisal and Management Plan

• Detailed surveys and valuations• Partnership funding secured• Education and learning package• Public Realm improvements• Project Manager now in post

Meanwhile...

• WHS Key Centre assessment in early 2102• TTC and WDBC support the idea• Funding secured for studies – learning and

Interpretation• Looking at Gateway Centre options• Networking with Blaenavon and Redruth• WHS Management Plan reviewed

Town Team

• Portas Pilot bid 2012• Town Team + 10k• SWOT/Priorities• Ambassadors/Benchmarking• Totally Locally• Car Club and Local Economic Blueprint• Town Shop?

Benchmarking

• Its important to measure performance to understand how we compare and to find out if what we are doing works

• Business Confidence Survey• Postcode Survey• Footfall count/car park usage• Audit of retail offer

Business benefits

• Advice and support is available through WDBC/BIP

• Business Voice Events and newsletter –sign up!

• ED grants• Regeneration projects, create jobs,

safeguard businesses and bring funds /investment

Where do we go from here?

• Secure THI Stage 2 approval and start on site autumn 2014

• Complete Key Centre studies/action plan• Secure Gateway Centre option• Secure and deliver Key Centre and links to

Tamar Trails/WHS• Don’t forget we are “World Class”

Where to?

• Help by completing Business Confidence Survey/recording postcodes

• Attend THI workshops and exhibitions• Keep working in Partnership