– adding a business approach to helping your high street revive and thrive
Blog by Mark Barnes, Revive & Thrive
Why do we largely consider that high streets should rely on public money and charities to support them? Why should the place that we want to see thrive be dependent on handouts? Generating income for projects in this way takes a great deal of time and effort, at the end of which the issue that we are seeking to address has moved on. In addition successful applications for funding are required to be delivered in a way that pleases well intentioned accountants, public bodies and politicians and not business people who know how to generate profit.
If we don’t apply for grant funding or public money we traditionally turn to our high street retailers for donations to deliver projects and we all know the difficulties they are facing. An alternative is to approach large corporate businesses and ask for donations but these can bring the same challenges as asking for public money. If you rule out all of the above this will point you in the direction of the businesses who can help, but they may not know it yet!
Businesses are now looking to grow and have little faith in investing in traditional marketing. What they need is to be able to put their business in front of large numbers of people.
Right now, I am working on a number of projects, talking to businesses that are not, in terms of size fall between the medium retailers and large corporate organisations. During these discussions I have pointed out the benefits to them of investing in bringing these projects to delivery stage and without exception they have agreed to offer financial and other support. (Watch this space!)
It is my view and experience that there is private money waiting for any valid local project and even better, the money that may be invested will be offered by business people who are looking for the same thing as you; quick results and profit (in your case sustainable profit for your project). For this reason, I urge you to take a moment to step back and have a good look around at local and regional businesses around your town centre. Be open-minded and imaginative, if you can’t see the opportunity here, widen the net and look at national mid-sized companies and don’t restrict yourself to retail. If you still can’t see the opportunity, get in touch and I will offer you my perspective.
I’m sure, in your town, you don’t need to rely on charities, local authorities, section 106 money, or your high street retailers to support your local projects. Get on the phone and demonstrate the promotional business case for your project and start injecting a commercial and business approach to helping your high streets revive and thrive. It will work, trust me!
