We thoroughly enjoyed the process of setting up our own business, it had its easy times but also times when you just think what have we done, and will we make it?  Well, we are still going 18 months in and this is what we have been doing....

We worked with a private developer looking at options for potential use of a building in the region where the local authority was undertaking some soft market testing, sharing our insight on the property and location which helped shape the submission

We prepared a funding proposal for a Community Interest Company to expand their existing retail offer and longer term options for the potential to operate the street markets

IAP partnered with a Retail Consultant in the completion and submission of tender documents to collect, analyse and present information on a towns digital activity

We developed and presented a  brief for a client to advise how they could start the process of evaluating specific areas of their business and use the findings to attract additional clients across the UK  

IAP have developed a Town Centre Review document to provide evidence based understanding of the current state of the high street, that can be utilised by any town to enable key stakeholders to identify opportunities for intervention and the subsequent development of projects to deliver specific priorities 

We have Identified long term empty properties and voids across the region and facilitated discussion with owners, property agents and stakeholders around options and opportunities to bring back into use

Strengthened collaborative working with commercial property agents for the securement of end use

IAP have advised retail businesses on start-up and growth, including opportunities to expand their floorspace, identifying funding availability to support capital improvement works

We have met and engaged with town councils from across the region to understand their challenges and support them in identifying opportunities for their high streets and retail offer

IAP was interviewed for local radio discussing our experience of setting up a business, the current state and future outlook for our  High Streets,  from IAP Partnership perspective. (you can watch the full video below)

We have visited town centres across the region, identifying opportunities to develop projects that would deliver change and support the development of the town centre offer, and of course popping into shops to chat and understand their needs (and  making a purchase or two) 

 We have attended a number of Training and networking events to keep up to date with funding, Government and local priorities,  project activities and meet other professionals looking after our high streets