Commercial

The "Vital and Viable" programme is designed to assess and improve the quality and performance of high streets and town centres. The programme employs a phased approach, starting with a place quality audit using the IPM's 25 Priority Interventions, potentially enhanced with footfall data analysis. The audit is complemented by a site visit and a stakeholder workshop to gather qualitative data and inspire local action. The programme culminates in a Vital and Viable Action Plan, a report summarizing the findings and providing recommendations for improvement. The programme includes:

Phase 1

  • Benchmarking the high street or town centre against the IPM’s 25 Priority Interventions compiling desk-based research, secondary data, updated use-class survey, and site visits.
  • Optional – if footfall data can be shared, then the research team can provide analysis of footfall data to draw out key insights (footfall signature, town hierarchy, weekly, daily, hourly insights).

  • Place Quality Audit, a report identifying good practice and priorities where targeted interventions are needed to improve town centre performance.

Phase 2

  • Vital & Viable workshop, a three-hour interactive session facilitated by the IPM to gather anonymised evidence from local stakeholders and provide examples to inspire local change.

  • Optional higher level discussion with senior stakeholders using the IPM’s 4Rs framework to complete a strategic diagnosis.

  • Vital and Viable Action Plan summarising the findings Phase 1 and the workshop, , with recommended short and long terms actions, within links to supporting resources.

The Vital and Viable Programme has been delivered in partnership with Manchester City Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Bury Council, North Warwickshire District Council, Watford, Salisbury, East Lyndsey (Louth), North Devon.

Crewe

Coalville

Paignton

Wallsend

Wavertree

Whitechapel

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