Spennymoor Town Centre Improvement Programme Evaluation- Sedgefield Borough Council

ERS have been commissioned by Sedgefield Borough Council to undertake an evaluation study of their Town Centre Improvement Programme. Sedgefield Borough Council has spent over £2 million of Single Programme funds in the Spennymoor town centre over the past 2 years. The programme has funded a wide range of improvements including new street paving, seating, bollards, a shop front improvement scheme and public art installations. The aim of the improvements was to increase the economic vitality and viability of the town centre’s retail offer.

The evaluation study will draw on five sources of information:

1. Stakeholder interviews with relevant project officers, councillors and prominent local business people

2. Document review of relevant literature including Experian Goad and Mosaic information packages and EDAW studies of the town centre
3. A survey of town centre customers

4. A survey of town centre businesses, and

5. Consultation with the Association of Town Centre Managers (ATCM).

The evaluation study will undertake detailed analysis of these five sources of information to make an assessment of the impact the improvements have had on the town centre and the extent to which they have contributed to measurable improvements in the economic vitality and viability of Spennymoor.

ERS Contact: aparkinson@ers.org.uk