Recently, we headed out to Thamesmead, London’s New Town. The part visited on the tour was in the borough of Bexley and the new Abbey Wood Elizabeth Line station has brought it much closer to central London. Billed as the ‘Town of Tomorrow’ when it was...
During the summer as meetings reduced we decided to use the quieter weeks to get out and about. Calling it meeting-free Fridays we managed to keep to it over five weeks during the summer, moving existing meetings to phone calls or keeping the day clear....
This month, our director Diane Cunningham headed to Scotland for a long overdue visit, much postposed due to lockdowns then train strikes. Diane knows Glasgow well but this time there was an opportunity to visit some new places.Glasgow southsideFirst up there was time for a...
We have recently returned from Toronto where the city was hosting the 11th International Markets Conference organised by Project for Public Spaces.Having been involved with the 10th Conference in London as part of the London Market Board, it was great to experience Toronto’s markets.We heard from speakers...
We met John Macaulay and Sophie Macaulay, the team behind GRIT Studios in Stockport and founders of Art Battle Manchester.They shared what has made Art Battle successful and how they have worked with local authorities and developers to take over empty spaces in town centres...
How can we create happier places? Everyone has different measures for happiness, but according to the World Happiness Report in 2022 happiness levels depend on a number of factors, including financial security, perceptions of social support, place of living, work, feelings of personal freedom, and much more. According to...
Shakespeare North Playhouse opening marks another milestone in Prescot's revivalPrescot is a small town in the borough of Knowsley located approximately 10 miles outside Liverpool. With a history focused on watch making and more recently as the former site of BICC Cables it has had...
Winner of ‘Best large indoor market’ at the Great British Market Awards in 2022.Having visited the temporary market in Warrington a few years ago for a NABMA meeting, I was keen to see the new, permanent market.The market is in the new build Time Square...
Behind the scenes in the City's newest parkRecently we took part in a fascinating tour with The London Society of the City’s newest public park, Exchange Square with architecture, urban design and research studio DSDHA and landscape architects FFLO.Tucked away behind Bishopsgate – we weren't even...
UK Cities of Culture tripsThe UK City of Culture title is relatively new, with only two events having taken place so far. The first was Derry/Londonderry in 2013, a city I’ve visited, but not during their year of culture. In 2017, Hull had the accolade,...