Engaging with Houndshill Shopping Centre stakeholders
The Houndshill Shopping Centre is a flagship regeneration project as part of the revitalisation of Blackpool, following years of under-investment and decline in the town. As the first major construction project in the town centre for some time, it is under close scrutiny from the local community, including local residents, tenants, businesses and others.
Balfour Beatty Construction established an open communications channel from the start, to encourage feedback and input from all stakeholders. All parties benefit from this, with the local community having any concerns addressed swiftly and to its satisfaction and, as a result, improvements can be made in the way the site operates.
Communications tools include public meetings, newsletters (a range is produced to meet the needs of differing target groups), dedicated websites including a webcam, presentations and briefings, site tours and letter drops.
An information kiosk has been set up for the local community to view development plans and ask questions. It will shortly be extended to include site vacancies, improving employment prospects in the locality. Balfour Beatty Construction has also been working in partnership with Preston College, a local housing association and JobCentrePlus to provide work placement opportunities on site. Previous students have gained valuable experience and subsequently been offered employment.
A dedicated tenant liaison officer is employed and is available on a 24-hour basis to deal with complaints and act as a link between the community and the site team. A complaints log is kept and provided on a weekly basis to the client, with a six-monthly report to analyse the main issues and identify ways to resolve these.
The site team works closely with the client to implement its 'Community Heart' programme. Initiatives have included a 'Name the Crane' and 'Time Capsule' competitions, involving local primary and secondary schools. Plans are being drawn up for Balfour Beatty to fundraise on behalf of a local theatre, the Grand Theatre, and a close working relationship has been established with the local Methodist Church.