Client
A major UK developer in a northern retail-magnet city

Brief We own a Grade 1 listed building, an industrial heritage gem, in a regeneration area of a major UK city. Planning approval over a period of years has been difficult to obtain for its inclusion as a significant cultural retail destination in our mixed-use wider regeneration project, even though our submissions have been within the city’s planning objectives. How do we ensure that we meet the city’s own vision while protecting our own wider commercial objectives? Approach 
Our view was that the issue of “cultural retail” needed more subtlety of approach and a wider understanding of its role in the economy – both in the UK and abroad. We looked at a wide range of best practice worldwide of major cultural retail destinations; and established their popular appeal, their business models and their role in the regeneration of difficult areas. We analysed the elements that had made for success (or failure), the elements needed to support and signpost them to future users, the route map to getting there, and finally a new definition of "cultural-retail".

Outcome 
Our clients have worked out the role and value of its very precious asset in their broader scheme, and gained the longer term interest now of the local authorities to its phased and intuitive approach to cultural retail.

Feedback 
It's early days yet as we subtly seek interest regionally and nationally in bringing this site to life as a cultural retail anchor to a regeneration development...but indications are that with our phased development approach to regional cultural needs - and mindful of the real value of this unique asset – there is considerable interest on the part of potential users of the building.