Steven Abbott Associates to undertake retail health check
Independent town planning consultancy Steven Abbott Associates (SAA) has been appointed by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to undertake a number of studies in line with the Borough’s Local Development Framework (LDF).
The LDF consists of a number of documents which help influence the manner in which spatial planning is managed at a local level, with the system designed to be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of communities.
SAA will complete a range of retail and related analysis, comprising ‘health checks’ in Blackburn and Darwen town centres and a review of ethnic shopping needs in Whalley Range / Victoria Road local centre to inform the area’s growth policy. The Practice will also update the current quantitative needs assessment for further shopping provision across the Borough.
The town centre health checks will include researching and analysing a number of factors including, diversity of retail space, capacity for growth, rental values, vacant units, floor space distribution, retailer representation, environmental quality, crime and safety, and accessibility of existing facilities. SAA will also commission a number of on-street surveys in order to gauge current customer opinion of the retail provision in Blackburn and Darwen. In Whalley Range, the Practice will undertake a review of the ethnic shopping needs of the area in line with the Borough’s objective to establish the vicinity as a distinct but important part of the town centre offer, with a vibrant retail mix which successfully attracts a culturally diverse range of visitors.
Partner, Jonathan Smith will be leading the project and has particular experience of working with the local authority on its retail strategy. Jonathan comments: “The Steven Abbott Associates team has all the relevant retail expertise to help Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council deliver comprehensive town centre planning that best meets the needs of the community and I am delighted we have been appointed to take the projects forward.”
