IPM Case Study: Sustainable Wantage
Wantage faced high vacancy rates in its town centre for many years. However, thanks to the work of the Town Team, the involvement of Iain Nicholson and the work of community groups such as Sustainable Wantage, the town won the Great British High Street Award in 2014.
This case study comes from Sustainable Wantage, a community group who worked with the local Town Team to take over a vacant unit in the town centre. This study shows how this scheme has given them a visible presence, allowed them to grow and how they have had a positive impact in the town. It highlights the important role of collaboration and community involvement, and it shows how important volunteers are in ensuring success. The study shows the issues facing the organization and highlights some of their future ambitions.
This case study, written by Jo Harvey shows how successful local community organisations can be in helping to diversify the high street and help tackle issues of sustainability in town centres. This provides an example of how successful community organisations can help high streets diversify to tackle important local, national and global issues and help to improve the image and create a place for locals to be proud of. This case study is an important read for those who are willing to engage in the diversification of their town offer and sustainability.
Read about the work undertaken in Wantage by clicking on the link below:
About the author
Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.