IPM Fellow Tony Goodman says ‘Pride in Place’ Has the Right Ambition – Now It Needs the Right Evidence
The Government’s new Pride in Place programme signals a bold and timely recognition that Britain’s towns and high streets can only thrive when power, pride, and purpose sit with the people who live and work there.
In his recent article for the Cumbria Times, IPM Fellow Tony Goodman MBE welcomes the ambition behind the initiative – which aims to give communities greater control over the future of their local high streets – but also calls for the right kind of evidence to underpin that empowerment.
“Empowering communities is key,” Tony writes, “yet without evidence, locals risk being handed responsibility without the tools to act effectively.”
As Marketing and Strategy Director at Place Informatics, Tony has seen how insights from data – such as visitor movement, footfall, dwell time, and behavioural trends – can help towns and local authorities make smarter, more responsive decisions. This form of evidence-led place management can bridge the gap between community ambition and measurable outcomes, allowing local people to track real progress in reducing vacancy, improving engagement, and boosting vitality.
Tony’s article reinforces a central theme within the Institute of Place Management’s work: the need to combine local knowledge with data-driven insight to create places that are not only better managed but also more resilient, inclusive, and genuinely community-led.
“Data doesn’t replace local knowledge; it amplifies it,” Tony argues. “When you combine the passion of residents, the experience of local organisations, and the clarity of evidence, you have a combination that can genuinely change communities.”
The IPM shares this belief that the future of place management lies in connecting community empowerment with robust evidence- ensuring that the Pride in Place agenda delivers lasting, measurable impact across the country.
Read Tony Goodman’s full article on the Cumbria Times website:
‘Pride in Place Has the Right Ambition – Now It Needs the Right Evidence’
