The Watermark, Ivybridge: Meeting Needs, Raising Aspirations,

Delivering Results

Keith Brown & Angela King

Devon Reinvestment Service

Devon Reinvestment Service• Who are we?

– Partnership of Devon County Council (Regeneration), Wessex Reinvestment Trust & Business in the Community

• What do we do?– Assist communities to develop assets:

– Community engagement– Partnership Building– Property Development Skills– Finance & Business Planning– Whole Project Management Approach

What is ‘The Watermark’, Ivybridge?

• Multi-purpose community hub– New 450sqm library

– ICT centre/training space

– One Stop Info shop/ TIC

– Large multi-purpose hall

– Meeting rooms

– Function catering, bar & cafe

– Serviced business space

• £5m partnership project• Completed April 2008

Purpose & Aims

– ‘Community Anchor’ to act as a ‘focal point’ for local service delivery

– Welcoming, bright, family-friendly space

– Bring increased footfall into the town

– Increase local business confidence & encourage new enterprise

– Ultimately, to create a more sustainable, self-sufficient community

Achievement so far….

• Outcome:

‘Community Anchor’ /

‘Welcoming, friendly space’

• Evidence (April 08-09):– 7 day a week usage– >200,000 visitors– 161% increase in library visits– 573 events/bookings– >30,000 requests for info– Volunteering – ‘Friends of’ group– New local access to services e.g.

CAB, new Ivybridge Carers Group

Achievements so far…..

• Outcome:

‘Increased Business

Confidence’

• Evidence:– High occupancy rates for Watermark

business units– 22 FTE posts & numerous p/t posts– Monthly business networking events– Reinvigorated Chamber of Trade – Nearly 50% less empty town centre

shops; 13 businesses expanded / improved & 9 new enterprises

– £50,000 spend on local food– 66% of suppliers within 15 miles

Recognised regionally/nationally!

Why has it worked?

• Strong business case – built on evidence of need

• Strong & dynamic partnership – vision & determination

• Strong leadership & project management

• Pooling of skills & resources• Strong PR & marketing

message• On-going ‘check-back’ &

responsiveness throughout design/development & beyond

• Robust monitoring & evaluation – proving success

Project Origins: Rooted in the Community

MCTI Community Plan TOP PRIORITY PROJECT to address:

– Exponential population growth – 3,500 in 1970’s to over 12,500 now - plus lack of community facilities & infrastructure

– Lack of ‘market town’ presence/ heart & further threats from major new commercial developments

– Large rural hinterland with poor access to services– Lack of support for entrepreneurs/business start-ups –

affordable premises, training & advice– Lack of opportunities to retain young people/those of

employment age

However, 3 years of consultation failed at first to attract statutory sector support/investment – needed help to prove the case..

Digging Deeper….

• DRS help to uncovered & demonstrate local issues & needs around 5 themes:– Employment prospects & new business ideas– Access to services– Training, learning, new skills– Culture – film, performance, arts, exhibitions– Pride - restoring the heart of ‘our’ market townExplored & tested in variety of waysDetailed feasibility work & options appraisal

Gathering Hard Evidence

• Demographics of the town held the clues!– e.g. Women returners– e.g. Cultural ‘leak’

• Variety of techniques to test suspicions – questionnaires, taster sessions, targeted events….

• Pieced together the jigsaw to create the whole picture - convinced funders & the rest is history!

A Lasting Impact/Legacy..

• Building for the future – anticipates growth, flexibility of design, state of the art technology

• Visibility – landmark building, heart of the town, increasing pride & confidence

• Changing fortunes – a reason to come to/stay in Ivybridge, creating new markets, providing quality facilities & services not previously available, challenging perceptions.

• In-built sustainability – local involvement/lead, robust monitoring, reduced need to travel.

• Motivation – for Ivybridge - & elsewhere!

Key Messages for Today

• Building a clear business case for investment decisions

• Going beyond / beneath published sources of information

• DCC as an enabler to help communities to prove that need themselves

• No blueprint – investment must reflect identified local need/circumstances

Want to find out more?

Forthcoming event:Developing Community Assets

Next THURSDAY @ THE WATERMARK

www.devon.gov.uk/developingcommunitiesfacilities.htm

Email: Reinvest@devon.gov.uk

Tel: 01392 382157