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
The WhatIf Group has been working successfully with a few equitable Public & Private sectors sharing the risk and the reward, unfortunately that cannot be
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
Economy and wellbeing are in the best cases closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Economic growth improves people’s wellbeing, whereas wellbeing and health of the population
In 2021 and 2022 we initially worked as part of the Kinetic team looking at raising investment into GB Bank. In the latter months of
When we set up the business, we were providing a lot of informal advice to people involved with the Church of England, who were taking
The concept of the circular economy has the potential to benefit society and communities in addition to generating commercial benefits for retailers. Retailers that adopt
For decades, shopping centres were the lifeblood of many town centres, having represented the ‘jewel in the crown’ for numerous local authority regeneration strategies. These
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/politicians-make-decision-long-awaited-26733126 Reporter Emily Craigie – Local Democracy Reporter Photo courtesy of TeessideLive If you would like to speak to someone at the WhatIf Group to
We have been lucky to be retained by STACK to seek out opportunities nationwide for this incredible entertainment, food and drink venue, started in the
Since Nicholas Ridley was Secretary of State in the late 80’s there has been a clamour at ministerial level for reform of the planning system.
A 15-minute city is an urban concept, in which most daily necessities can be accomplished by either walking or cycling from residents’ homes. They are places to
These 8 cities around the world are putting their focus on biking and walking — not cars Photo by Maixent-Viau
Is there a bigger opportunity when greening town centres that have fractured occupational and economic needs. Read the full report from Savills – RE:Imagining Retail
Happy New Year to all and all the very best for 23 from WhatifGroup.io! Town Centres –Public Private Partnerships providing opportunities for the whole of
At the beginning of 2022 The WhatIf Group never fully realised all it would achieve. Building on existing relationships and creating New Friends, New Partnerships,
WISHING ALL OUR PARTNERS, AFFILIATES, COLLEAGUES, AND FRIENDS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PICTURE COURTESY OF JESIWN THOMAS
Will the “Levelling up”programme now be possible? Local government is creaking under further austerity. Social care makes up onaverage 50% of local government spending and
At WhatifGroup we believe in doing things differently- not because we want to be awkward, but because the old way is obsolete. We want to
https://www.placemanagement.org/news/posts/2022/october/investment-zones-the-ipm-view/
The Government has 3 investment priorities of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which relate to 7 of the 12 Government Levelling up Missions. These are
The Government has 3 investment priorities of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which relate to 7 of the 12 Government Levelling up Missions. These are
The Government has 3 investment priorities of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which relate to 7 of the 12 Government Levelling up Missions. These are
This fund is the replacement to the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) which runs out in 2023. The Government has released pre-launch guidelines (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus/delivery-geographies)
As a business is it really necessary to form partnerships? That could depend on what you are trying to achieve and how soon you want
A year on – What we have been up to? We are incredibly proud that we have been working with some fantastic Clients and we
A year on – What we have been up to? We are incredibly proud that we have been working with some fantastic Clients and we
(Main Photograph courtesy of Freepik.com) If you are a Gamer, you will have heard of “level up.” It means advancing from one level to another.
https://soundcloud.com/adrienn-gallova/group-3-this-week-2day
Our very own Kevin Parkes has had an input into an article in the Big Issue North (14th – 20th feb 22) in respect of
At the click of a button, we can have anything we want, from anywhere in the world and it is this phenomenon that has changed
(Image Source: https://fernandesmakes.co.uk/pages/connecting-columns) Whatif Group are currently working with Peel, helping Quayside,MediaCity. As the first collaboration of many with Islington Mill and local groups, we
There has been much scepticism about the outcomes COP 26 Climate Change Conference. Firstly, because senior politicians from both China and Russia failed to attend.
Building the momentum The Tees Valley is flourishing and its extraordinary transformation is set to continue. Across the sub-region there are developments springing up –
AN INVESTMENT APPROACH THAT LOOKS AT THE SUM OF THE PARTS BEFORE THE INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH In an ideal world where there is
This is at the forefront of UN Sustainable Development Goal 4. So how do we at the Whatif Group incorporate this goal into our Town
When we are ailing, we usually take a prescribed or over the counter medicine or two, and if things don’t improve, we go to see
How can we as a company effect change, or for that matter how does any public or private enterprise effect change? Well, first they each
If you have never watched the movie “Pay it Forward,” then you must! It’s the story of a young boy, who instead of returning a favour,
Capitalists may well argue against this point however, there is evidence that Ethically run businesses can be more productive, efficient and happier places to work.
The Tonight programme on ITV asked and tried to answer this question. (source ITV Tonight programme 22.04.21https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqiCMYDx0q0) There are lots of good ideas out there
More and more people are moving towards urbanised living, leaving the suburbs behind. The myths of city centre deprivation are long gone and people are
Dear Paul, The election of a Senior Fellow is always based upon the unanimous decision of our existing Senior Fellows. It is the highest level
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) is a framework that can be used by businesses to work towards improving equality, health, wellbeing and sustainability
Ethical investing is investing in projects that sit in line with your values and principles both socially, morally or religiously. The only person who can
The Municipal Bonds Agency is working on a plan that allows local authorities to issue ESG bonds. They are working on a framework which will
Over the past few years, Local authorities have been hit hard with austerity and now Covid and will have to become more innovative in their thinking
These are tumultuous times for the UK’s High Streets. The response that is needed is exceptional and at a scale that is more than any
The dirty secret of capitalism – and a new way forward. Rising inequality and growing political instability are the direct result of decades of bad
Why shopping centre owners should pursue a strategy of developing partnerships with the public sector and vice-versa. Post Covid the vast majority of UK shopping
Every week I do a quick update that explains what’s happened work wise, this past week or so. This last week feels like we’ve become
