Member Spotlight by IPM New Member, Annette Clynes
The Institute of Place Management brings together people working to make places better across the UK and internationally. In our Members in the Spotlight series, we want to introduce some of those people, celebrate the work they are doing and, importantly, share the ideas and experiences that others can learn from. This time, we meet Annette Clynes, Town Centre Manager at Dunstable Town Council, whose work demonstrates the important role that Town Councils can play in actively shaping and managing their places. Read Annette’s story below and discover what inspires her approach to place.
I first became interested in IPM after taking part in a couple of online courses and exploring the website. The focus on town centres, place management and placemaking really caught my attention, as this is such an important part of my role as a Town Centre Manager.
I found both courses really enlightening and came away with lots of ideas that I could use in my own town centre. In particular, the course around media and communication has had a real impact on my work. It inspired me to start creating a weekly video from the town centre, helping to engage with residents, visitors and businesses in a different way. It has also helped me become more of a recognisable face for the town centre, which has been a really positive experience.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the IPM courses was hearing from speakers and place professionals from different countries. It made me realise that, although places and countries may be very different, many of the challenges we face are actually very similar. There are ideas and approaches being used around the world that we can learn from and adapt to suit our own communities.
Through my time with IPM, I am hoping to gain more experience, knowledge and ideas by listening to other place professionals and learning from their stories. I would also like to connect with other Town Councils and place managers. This has already started to happen, and I have found those connections incredibly valuable.
One of the places that has inspired me most is actually the French high street and town centre experience. I love the atmosphere of French shopping areas, particularly the way town squares bring people together to enjoy food, coffee, shopping and simply spending time in the town. I have taken a lot of inspiration from this when developing events in Dunstable.
For example, Street Food Heroes, which takes place once a month in the town centre, was partly inspired by the feeling of the food events and social spaces I have experienced while on holiday in France. I wanted to create some of that atmosphere in Dunstable and give people a reason to come into the town centre, meet friends and family, enjoy food and spend time together.
The same thinking inspired me when I started Middle Row Markets. The aim was to create a regular twice-monthly market bringing local food, crafts and independent traders into the town centre, but also to create a place where people could meet, socialise and enjoy the town.
Dunstable has also achieved success through Britain in Bloom and Anglia in Bloom, and the Town Council puts a huge amount of effort into its floral displays, supported by dedicated volunteers. I really value the difference that flowers, well-maintained public spaces and attractive town squares can make. They help create a place where people want to spend time.
For me, placemaking is very much about the experience people have when they visit a town. I am particularly passionate about creating free activities and ensuring that everyone feels included. This includes providing free activities at events and even free sanitary products in our public toilets.
At Christmas, for example, we give more than 1,000 children the opportunity to meet Santa and receive a small gift. We also have a community stage during the summer and winter, providing an opportunity for young groups and new singers to perform and gain confidence. I have particularly enjoyed supporting local singers, including those with neurodiverse needs, and giving them an opportunity to come onto our community stage and shine.
Not every idea I have tried in my role has worked, but I don’t see that as failure. I see it as learning. The important thing is to ask why something didn’t work, whether it needs to be changed or adapted, or whether it is simply something we should leave behind and move on to a new idea. The ideas that do work are incredibly rewarding because you can see the difference they make to the community.
I think one of the most important things IPM can do as a professional institute is to encourage people to connect and share good practice — not just what works, but also what doesn’t work. We can learn so much from each other’s experiences, and there is no reason for every town to have to reinvent the wheel.
I would love to meet more place makers, hear their stories and learn about the ideas they are using in their own communities. I also hope to share what we are doing in Dunstable and demonstrate what Town Councils can achieve when they are actively involved in shaping their place.
For me, getting the foundations right is essential. We need to create a town centre that people want to visit, spend time in and enjoy. If we can get the place right and create an environment where people want to be, the business element will follow, as will footfall. I’m really pleased to be part of IPM and look forward to continuing to learn, share ideas and connect with other people who are just as passionate about making places better.
