Place Quality Audits launched in North West Leicestershire
We were delighted to support North West Leicestershire District Council as they launched their new Vitality Fund this week, with the first event taking place in Coalville.
Ahead of the launch, the Institute of Place Management completed place quality audits for six high streets across the district. These independent audits provide an objective assessment of how high streets are performing – not only in terms of function, but also the quality of the experience for businesses, residents, and visitors.
By providing a clear evidence base, the audits are helping to inform how local communities and stakeholders would like to see the new Vitality Fund directed. The aim is to ensure that investment decisions are rooted in local priorities and that funds support long-term vitality and resilience.
Professor Steve Millington attended the launch event, underlining IPM’s commitment to supporting towns and communities through practical research, professional expertise, and evidence-based approaches. Having now completed the audits, we look forward to seeing how the council and local partners use the findings to guide investment and strengthen their high streets.
Reflecting on the launch, Tom Stanyard LRSM MIPM, Senior Economic Development Officer, said
“We were really excited to partner with the Institute for Place Management on the place quality audits. For some of our centres this is the first time we’ve had an independent, evidence based assessment of their strengths and weaknesses - for others, it’s an update on work we previously carried out in the late 2000s with bodies like the Prince’s Foundation. We’re looking to use these reports to empower our local communities and their varied stakeholders into working with us to make real improvements to our centres, while celebrating everything we’re already doing well. The ‘Vitality Fund’ we’ve launched alongside the reports will enable us to make an immediate start on the recommendations the Institute have made. Thanks again to Steve Millington, Ian Harvey and the IPM team for all their support.”
Read more on the North West Leicestershire District Council website via: https://www.nwleics.gov.uk/news/2025/10/01/p300000_vitality_fund_launched_to_boost_town_and_village_centres
If your organisation would like to commission place quality audits or learn more about how IPM can support your local high streets, please get in touch with us at ipm@mmu.ac.uk.
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.