The Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy 2007-2021 - Results from Consultation - Northampton ...
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The Northampton
Economic Regeneration Strategy
2007-2021
Results from Consultation
8th October 2007 – 14th January 2008
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results
Number of Consultees
Partner Organisations: 31
Local Businesses: 1070
Parish C/Residents Ass: 56
Grosvenor Centre: 2 day Roadshow
Website: easy access to public
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results
Number of Replies
Partner Organisations: 24
Local Businesses: 8
Parish C/Residents Ass: 2
Individuals: 10
Total: 44
Note: Not all consultees replied on all sections. Experts tended to
reply on their field of knowledge
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation ResultsList of Chapters
1. Retail
2. Employment
3. Business Start-up
4. Regeneration & Growth
5. Education
6. Community
7. Housing
8. Leisure
9. Infrastructure
10. Leadership
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results1. Retail Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Good place for Northampton to aim
Develop vibrant niche markets to
towards / Focus on what makes
R1 distinguish Northampton from other retail 18 11 1 Northampton distinct / Cultural trail
centres
through shopping areas
This is a laudable aim but how? /
R2 Expand the Town Centre 17 10 3 Parking needs to be addressed - free
or low cost
Include improvements to existing
shop fronts to complement fine
R3 Consult on Retail Design 16 9 3 1 architecture above / Not sure about
more consultations, people want to
see results not just promises
Retail jobs are not sustainable alone
/ This needs to be backed up with
R4 Jobs/Skills - expansion and opportunity 16 9 4 1 adequate training programmes which
need to be long-term and
sustainable.
Market is underused - should be
Research into turning the Market Square used for events and functions also /
R5 into a flexible space 21 5 1 3 1 Stop messing around with the market
square
Developing places for youths to go
would help / Be difficult to encourage
R6 Diversifying the Evening Economy 20 4 2 2 families to use it as full of drunks /
Town centre has become daunting at
night / Diversify offers of venues
Town centre is very tired and needs
Landscaping the major circulation areas of major infrastucture investment / Need
R7 the town 15 10 3 1 1 to be cleaner and more welcoming /
Don't agree with covered walkway
This would also be a source of
Business Improvement Districts - retail
R8 areas improved/maintained 8 9 9 1 2 funding / Will the levy put people off?
/ BIDS is a useful tool
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results1. Retail Comments
R2 - Expand the Town Centre Retail 2
(Increase the town centre retail offer by two-thirds i.e. 80,000m .)
27 out of the 30 that responded to this target agreed
• “This is a laudable aim but how?”
• “There is capacity to increase the town centre
retail by a greater amount.”
R5 - Market Square – Creating a Flexible Space
(retain the function of the market during the day but with the permanent stalls removed.)
21 strongly agreed with this target - joint 2nd highest score (1 of 3).
• “Market is underused – should also be used for
events and functions”
• “Stop messing around with the Market Square”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results1. Retail Comments cont
R8 – Business Improvement Districts
9 of the answers to R8 were in neither agree/disagree. This is the
highest ‘don’t know’ in the results. This may be due to the lack of
clarity in explaining the concept.
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results2. Employment Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Infrastructure needs to be improved to
Promote the development of office
accommodate this / Should make use of
E1 space - living and working in the 9 14 2 1 empty offices in town centre rather than
town
building more.
Review of NBC land to be reused Commercial needs to be balanced with the
E2 for commercial use 10 11 5 1 cultural offer / Don't sell, just rent/lease
Offices are better sited outside the town
E3 Create office site opportunities 10 10 2 3 1 centre to ease congestion and parking is
expensive
Only if done in conjunction with a
E4 Promote high quality jobs 11 12 2 1 1 sustainable transport plan / The knowledge
based high tech industries are the future
Identify gateway sites, allow Northampton looks grim on all of the
E5 prestigious firms to be visible 15 8 2 approaches into the town / Conversion and
when entering the town reuse of important existing buildings
Target companies to relocate in Creative and digital should be added to the
E6 Northampton 13 12 2 list / Yes but not those listed
Needs to be balanced / Bit vague a clear
E7 Development opportunities 7 14 5 1 strategy needs to be developed
Upskill the workforce in
The need to upskill is agreed / On the job
E8 prepearation for the new 16 10 1 and evening training
employment opportunities
Great - link to enterprise infrastructure
Aim to reduce the business rates
E9 for SMEs in first 2 years 19 8 which should be developed / As long as
after 2 years they don't move on
Ensure industrial growth space is
This target is a bit vague / This would
E10 available for prominent 15 8 2 1 benefit tourism
manufacturing
An indepth study on size, location and
Create a Conference / Exhibition
E11 Centre in the Town Centre 11 9 3 2 1 demand is needed / Centres need good
travel links and parking
Encourage local procurement and
A very important value / Encourage twinning
E12 support local business to 15 7 3 1 with developing countries
business working
Support the management of
E13 Industrial Parks to ensure correct 11 11 4
facilities are supplied
Consider large companies as well / Long
Provision of a Science and
E14 Technology Park 15 8 2 1 standing and shared priority - more than
just housing technology
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results2. Employment Comments
E9 – Reduce Business Rates for SMEs
(Aim to reduce the business rates to start up business)
27 answered and all agreed with this target.
• “Are there any state aid implications?”
• “Great – link to enterprise infrastructure which
should be developed”
E14 - Science and Technology Park
(Support provision of a Science and Technology Park)
Mixed views but still a majority of 15 strongly agreed.
• “How will you attract them? What will be unique?”
• “Ideally it would be the heart of a Technology
Realm”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results3. Business Start-up Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
How will the rents be affordable? Who will pay for
Research possibility of an area for the management of the complex? / Relates to
B1 sole traders / start-up businesses 14 12 1 1 issues of making Northampton distinctive / Could
also be around Market Square
Who will pay the overheads? The potential clients
Research possibility of developing
will not be able to cover all costs. Graduates are
B2 an arts complex supporting new 16 8 2 2 unlikely to go straight into self employment. / Could
shops and local graduates
be within a historic building for extra draw
Research possibility of developing How will they pay? Who will provide the venue and
an area of the centre for Fashion get return? The mailbox is high-end / This will
B3 design retail start-up encouraging 14 10 4 support work being done by UoN / Uni has good
graduates from the university to stay reputation for fashion designing / Link to Market
in Northampton Square
Research possibility of an area for
B4 Antiques business start-ups 13 7 6 2 Tie into conservation services eg art restorers
Research possibility of Live-Work
B5 Units in the centre 13 10 4 1 Long term subsidy is unfeasible
Research potential cultural quarter,
B6 start-ups and business growth 12 12 3 1
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results3. Business Start-up Comments
B2 - Research Arts Complex
(supporting start up business shops to aid start up and create a more diverse shopping offer)
24 of 28 agreed with this target.
• “Who will pay overheads? Potential clients will not
be able to cover them”
• “Could be within a historic building for extra draw”
B3 – Research Fashion Design Retail Start-Up
(aid start up and create a more diverse shopping offer )
Half strongly agreed with this target
• “University has a good reputation for fashion
designing”
• “Don’t focus on segmentation a variety is attractive”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results4. Regeneration & Growth Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Meaning not clear / Agree with goal for robust
Establish plan of work for the
G1 regeneration of Northampton 11 13 2 1 1 planning and resource schedule providing fluency,
consistence and stability.
Adopt OGC Gateway method of
G2 developing projects from first 8 10 9 1 What is OGC?
principles to establish good practice
Ensure all projects are built of a
good quality, functional design, Should include reference to safety and security /
G3 environmentally friendly and are 16 9 1 1 1 And consult with local groups
attractive
Competition idea is a good one / Competition takes
G4 Consult the public on designs 13 12 1 2 1 up more time
Equalities to be taken into Need an equality strategy/policy / Need clear
G5 consideration on all projects 10 13 5 impact assessment / Overrated subject
Carbon neutral future, Borough to
Carbon neutrality needs to be at the core of the
G6 encourage all sectors to adapt to the 15 10 1 strategy / More detail here
impact of climate change
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results4. Regeneration & Growth Comments
G2 – Adopt OGC Gateway Method for projects
18 agreed with this target, however 9 were unsure.
• “What is OGC?”
(Office of Government Commerce)
G3 – Ensure all projects are to a high Design Quality
25 out of 28 agreed with this target.
• “Should include reference to safety and security.”
• “Consult with local groups.”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results5. Education Average Response
Strongly Generally Neither Agree Generally Strongly
Number Target Comments
Agree Agree or Disagree Disagree Disagree
Need to link employability skills
with those out of work / Mention
new diplomas schools will be
offering / Mention more
opportunities offered by the
college / Need to develop more
interest at all levels of schooling
in knowledge based
occupations / How will you
attract more students and retain
Do you agree
them - your USP - could you
with the
Education education 4 11 6 2 1 build in trade apprenticeships /
Enterprise is key here
section
especially up-skilling workforce
/ Should not duck the
educational issues in the town -
LSP to bring educational parties
together and agree stretching
targets and raise attainment/
Raise Literacy and Numeracy in
school leavers, education must
be valued by the young /
Promote traditional building
skills
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results5. Education Comments
“Focus on adult education to keep up to date with
changing technology”
“Increase in funding to aid the
integration of 'foreign' students into
Primary Schools.”
“Enterprise is key here
especially up-skilling
workforce” “Promote traditional building skills”
“Raise Literacy and
“GCSE Results and
Numeracy in school leavers,
data in this section
education must be valued
should be more up to
by the young”
date”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results6. Community Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Should be used for community activities not
Review the use of 22 NBC micro businesses / Should be wider than
C1 Community Centres to possibly 13 11 4 1 2 micro businesses and also mulituse
include micro business start-up buildings / Development in conjunction with
enterprise strategy
Establish Groundwork in
Ensure that any Groundwork model fits
Northampton which will help to
C2 improve the quality of the local 8 16 5 2 within and links with existing delivery
structures
environment
Not just NBC - all major organisations /
Encourage the reuse, reduction
C3 and recycling of waste 17 11 1 1 1 Don’t charge extra - encourages flytipping /
Does not specify how/what will be done
Needs to be jointly led with by community
safety / More police patrols / Crime
Safer communities - all projects
shouldn't be ultimate consideration /
need to take into consideration
C4 likely effects on crime within a 18 8 3 2 Problem is lack of manners and respect at
the lower end of the scale / Inclusion
community
musts: avoidable injury, better health,
reduced death rate
How will you do this? Work in conjunction
Neighbourhood renewal and
with existing Neighbourhood Renewal and
management - investing in
C5 communities and tackling social 16 11 3 1 Community Cohesion strategies / People
must be given the opportunity to improve
exclusion
themselves
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results6. Community Comments
C2 – Establish Groundwork in Northampton
(help to improve the quality of the local environment)
24 out of 31 agreed with this target
• “Ensure that any Groundwork model fits within
and links with existing delivery structures.”
C4 - Safer Communities
(projects need to take into consideration likely effects on crime within a community)
26 out of 31 agreed with this target
• “Needs to be jointly led with Community Safety”
• “We would wish to see strong reference to strategic
issues of ‘Designing Out Crime’”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results7. Housing Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Must be without detriment to the surrounding areas
New Homes - support the
/ Not without placing correct infrastructure and
completion of 1450 new homes
H1 annually 2006-2011 by maximising 8 11 6 1 2 social support structures / More jobs in town centre
is good but it means more people travelling to the
inward investment
centre
Affordable Housing - widen the Affordable, good quality housing is key / There
H2 opportunity to home ownership and 15 8 4 1 should also be some focus on affordable housing to
improve rented accommodation buy
Ensure house builds are built of a To attract higher quality employees, better quality
good quality, functional design, housing is essential / Designs should include local
H3 environmentally friendly and be 16 9 2 1 vernacular features that make Northampton
attractive distinctive
Renovate existing terrace houses rather than
Encourage house builders to locate
H4 their business in Northampton 10 8 7 1 building new houses on green field sites / Need to
talk up benefits of attracting house builders
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results7. Housing Comments
H1 – New Homes
(support the completion of 1450 new homes annually 2006-2011)
Mixed response but still a majority of 19 out of 28 agreed
• “Must be without detriment to the surrounding area”
• “More jobs in town centre is good but it means more
people travelling into the centre, needs to relate
to infrastructure”
H4 – Encourage house builders to locate to Northampton
18 out of 26 agreed with this target
• “Renovate existing terrace houses”
• “Talk up benefits of attracting house builders”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results8. Leisure Average Response
Strongly Generally Neither Generally Strongly
Number Target Comments
Agree Agree Agree or Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Development of Not just expansion but refocusing
Cultural /Arts Facilities and raising ambition / Should be
L1 for the New 18 9 2 done in partnership with Fish
Northampton - find the 1 Market / Creation of heritage trail /
right mix of facilities for Make the most of what we've got /
the town Strongly agree with improving of
cultural facilities
Number of potential directions,
might want to separate local history
and boots and shoes / Could be
Expand Northampton's expanded around leather /
L2 Boot and Shoe Museum 14 8 4 3 1 Broaden focus so not all about
shoes / Only if part of it was to
become a working and interactive
museum / Hard to encourage
people to visit a shoe museum -
shoes just aren't that exciting
The issue of sport and exercise is
really important as part of a health
Development of Sports
L3 Facilities for the New 6 1 1 agenda for the town / Capitalise on
Northampton
21 Silverstone and existing sports -
possibility in a schools programme
/ Improving sports facilities for all
types / Need more fun/leisure
orientated sports facilities
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results8. Leisure Comments
L1 - Development of Cultural/Arts Facilities
27 out of 30 agreed with the target
• “Refocus and Raise ambition”
• “Creation of culture trail”
L2 - Expand Northampton's Boot and Shoe Museum
Mixed comments but still just under half agreeing
• “Shoes just aren’t that exciting!”
• “Only if part of it was to become a working and
interactive museum”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results8. Leisure Comments cont
L3 - Development of Sports Facilities
21 strongly agreed with this target – joint 2nd most popular (1 of 3)
• “The issue of sport and exercise is really important
as part of a health agenda for the town”
• “Need more fun/leisure orientated sports facilities”
• “Capitalise on Silverstone and existing sports”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results9. Infrastructure Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Make one way roads two way for bikes /
Map out clear strategic cycle and
Need better public transport to and from the
T1 walking routes throughout 22 9 1 rest of EM / Greater use of River&Canal
Northampton
networks / Long overdue
Encourage schools in
Northampton to develop School
Travel Plans and research the Include College and University / Must be a
T2 possibility of schools as a way of 20 9 3 new approach than has been before
reducing morning and evening
traffic
This is essential as the town centre's traffic
system is buckling under the current
T3 Support the use of 'Park and Ride' 15 9 4 2 pressures / Needs to be done in
conjunction with improving public transport /
Parking should be nearby, not P&R
Research a car parking strategy
for Northampton to ensure the
T4 and T5 could be linked / Pay as you go
T4 impact of any development is 17 10 2 1 2 should be consistent throughout the town
understood in relationship to
town's capacity
More out of town parking - support P&R /
Develop car parks on the Also look at multistorey carpark
T5 parameter of the town centre 12 12 5 1 1 improvements / People will not give up their
cars without incentive
Ensure villages do not bear traffic / NCC
Ensure road systems are
have spent money meant for highways on
T6 adequate to support new 21 7 2 1 1 other matters hence the quality of our
developments
disintegrating roads
Seems to be beyond scope of exercise /
T7 Promote better rail connections 16 11 4 Internal rail links more of a priority
Sign up to East-West Rail link and develop
Northampton Railway Station -
line to Bedford through Brackmills as a
T8 promote using the site for a major 17 8 5 1 freight route / Do not neglect the freight
office development
infrastructure
Don't reduce links to town centre station / A
Develop a Northampton South
T9 Railway Station 8 9 9 1 4 new home would need to be found for freight
if this was to be possible
Promote/support expansion of
T10 utilities, school and health 20 10 1 And Leisure
provision
Maximise green space and explore funding
Develop a Green Infrastructure
T11 strategy 19 8 3 1 opportunities / Should be in line with current
strategy
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results9. Infrastructure Comments
T1 – Walking and Cycle routes around Northampton
22 strongly agreed with this target making it the post popular target
• “Greater use of River & Canal networks”
• “Long overdue”
T9 – Develop a Northampton South Railway Station
Although a majority agreed, 9 were unsure and 5 disagreed
• “Don’t reduce links to town centre”
• “It will promote car usage to the new station”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results10. Leadership Average Response
Neither
Strongly Generally Generally Strongly
Number Target Agree or Comments
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Disagree
Strategy adoption - Internally - This must be immune from changes in the political
adoption of this strategy as an leadership at NBC or NCC / Adoption after face to
LG1 internally agreed strategy within 15 11 1 face consultation with key partners and
NBC and across political parties stakeholders - clarity of roles
Refer explicitly to the LSP / All decisions should be
Strategy adoption - Externally -
by bodies that are elected not Quangos set up by
adoption of this strategy by key
LG2 external stakeholders as the way 16 10 1 Government over which we have no control /
Adoption after face to face consultation with Private
forward for Northampton
and voluntary community sectors - clarity of roles
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation Results10. Leadership Comments
Of the 27 people who commented on the Strategy becoming adopted by
both internal and external parties, 26 agreed while 1 disagreed
“All the political parties need to
understand that without a clear
strategy, this town will become
even less of an attraction to visitor” “Laudable aim – good
Luck!”
“If this doesn’t fit with
partner strategies – it “You must take the lead
will fail” working with other companies
and partners to make things
happen for the better”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation ResultsWhat does all this mean?
Of the 59 targets set out by the Strategy, working out the
averages, the results are extremely positive as set out below:
Strongly agree 33 targets
Generally Agree 26
Neither Agree of Disagree 0
Generally Disagree 0
Strongly Disagree 0
TOTAL 59
(ie consensus shows that a majority agreed with all targets)
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation ResultsNorthampton “The Market City”
What do you think of the strapline?
Yes: 12
Unsure: 2
No: 11
Suggested Straplines:
“Heart of the Community”
“Something about being the Heart of England”
“European Market City”
“A City where anything is possible”
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation ResultsWhat Happens Next.....?
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
Consultation ResultsAny Comments on the
results?
Northampton Economic Regeneration Strategy
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