Winners and Losers on the High Street and in Town Centres.
On the 15th of February Britain was reported to be “officially” in a recession, although the downturn had already appeared in the last quarter of 2023. Our economy had stagnated after Covid and growth is expected to be slow in 2024, which may lead to a reduction in interest rates from the summer. We are […]
Successful Public and Private Partnerships – sharing the Risk & Reward.
The WhatIf Group has been working successfully with a few equitable Public & Private sectors sharing the risk and the reward, unfortunately that cannot be said for many PPPs. It is common knowledge that Local Authorities (LA’s)are facing a financial crisis with more than 100 currently in debt. Many authorities are living hand to mouth […]
Better Public, Private Partnerships must shape the future of Levelling Up.
https://www.placemanagement.org/news/posts/2023/july/better-public-private-partnerships-must-shape-the-future-of-levelling-up/ Photo Courtesy of altrincham.todaynews.co.uk
WHATIFGROUP – TWO YEARS PLUS AND ITS MEANINGFUL & FUN
Evidence suggests that new businesses are most vulnerable in their first two years of existence. The Whatifgroup has passed that milestone and things are looking extremely positive. We are more than halfway through our third year with strong optimism and growing confidence. We are therefore looking to diversify the team. The biggest challenge has been […]
WhatIf… We do Real Estate Differently –
WHY LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST LOCALLY Anyone watching Panorama on BBC on 31st July 2023 on the financial disaster at Thurrock Council could be forgiven for wondering why a local authority was investing in projects in far flung places? How does this benefit local people? In theory, if the investments made money, […]
CASE STUDY – MIDDLESBROUGH HISTORIC QUARTER
Kinetic asked the WhatIf Group to assist in developing their formative ideas for the creation of a vibrant quarter around Middlesbrough rail station. They already owned some heritage properties that had been successfully renovated as serviced offices. After creating a wider vision for the area, we have subsequently worked with the Kinetic team on further […]
CASE STUDY – GATESHEAD TOWN HALL SITE – KINETIC PROPERTIES
Kinetic acquired the lease for the Gateshead Town Hall site at the heart of Tyneside,close to the Tyne Bridge. Their proposals were originally for the development of amuseum within the Old Town Hall building. The site is complex including some significant Listed Buildings and surface level carparks, in an excellent location at the heart of […]
CASE STUDY – WALLSEND TOWN CENTRE
WhatIf Group were commissioned by Capita, who provide services to North Tyneside Council, to provide support to the town centre components of a strategy for the central Wallsend. This strategy was the basis for bidding for funding for implementation. After the initial commission we advised that the town centre should be looked at holistically and […]
Case Study – Quayside, MediaCity
WhatifGroup were asked by Peel L&P (part of the Peel Group, one of the leading infrastructure, transport and real estate investors in the UK, with collective investments owned and under management of+ £5bn) in early 2021 to help them develop a new strategy for the re-named, former Lowry Outlet Mall, located next to one of […]
WHATIF GROUP HELPS ‘DAVID OVERCOME GOLIATH’
‘In early 2022 we were approached by a community group in Consett, County Durham who were opposing the development of a waste burning incinerator at the heart of their town. The group had mobilised literally thousands of people to oppose the development but had virtually no professional support nor money to pay for any. We […]