Placemaking Action Plan - Paignton

Millington, Steven ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5143-3074 and Stephenson, Ben (2023) Placemaking Action Plan - Paignton. Project Report. High Streets Task Force.

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Abstract

High street revitalisation is complex. Although facing common challenges, places are unique and there are no prescriptive solutions. Taskforce experts can provide guidance, but it remains incumbent on stakeholders to use their local insights and capacity to deliver bespoke activities which ensure their high street or centre is attractive and prepared for the future. It is vital stakeholders share a common understanding of the structural change affecting the high street and create a well communicated plan that identifies clear tasks, allocated to specific groups to deliver. This is effective place management and is what gets places onto a path of transformation (see Appendix 1: the 4Rs Framework). Based on a major research programme, the 4Rs helps places develop their plan by distinguishing between the processes of: Repositioning (analysis and decision making), Rebranding (communication), Restructuring (place management and planning), and Reinventing (effecting change). In Paignton, Task Force experts think the best start point is Reinventing. This is prescribed when there is a lack of activity in a place, or too much reliance on the existing offer to drive footfall. Reinvention, therefore, involves creating activities which increase footfall and spend, attract a wider range of visitors, or encourage visitors to stay longer. This might include events, festivals, pop-up retail, reuse of vacant shops, and basic improvements to the appearance of the town centre. This could also involve trialing new products or services which will diversify the offer and start adapting the centre to meet the needs of future users.