Abstract
The Barons Quay development in Northwich, Cheshire, represents a significant investment in urban regeneration, aimed at revitalising the town's economy and improving its attractiveness as a retail and leisure destination. However, despite these intentions, the development has faced challenges in achieving its goals, leading to calls for place intervention. This article critically examines the need for place intervention at Barons Quay through the lens of the foundational economy, which emphasizes the importance of everyday economic activities in sustaining communities. By analyzing the current state of Barons Quay, this study identifies the key areas where intervention is necessary and offers recommendations for fostering a more resilient and inclusive local economy.
Introduction
Urban regeneration projects are often seen as catalysts for economic growth and social revitalization, particularly in towns and cities that have experienced economic decline. The Barons Quay development in Northwich is one such project, envisioned as a transformative initiative to boost the town's retail, leisure, and housing sectors. However, since its completion, Barons Quay has struggled to meet expectations, with significant issues related to vacancy rates, underutilization, and a lack of engagement with the local community. These challenges highlight the need for targeted place intervention to address the shortcomings of the development and to realign it with the needs of Northwich's foundational economy.
The foundational economy framework offers a valuable lens through which to assess the challenges facing Barons Quay. This approach focuses on the everyday economic activities that are essential to the well-being of communities, including sectors such as retail, health, education, and public services. By centering the discussion on the foundational economy, this article seeks to explore how place interventions can be designed to support the economic and social infrastructure that sustains local communities, rather than merely pursuing growth-oriented objectives.
This article is structured as follows: first, it provides a background on Barons Quay and the concept of the foundational economy; second, it examines the current state of Barons Quay, identifying key challenges and areas where intervention is necessary; third, it discusses the potential forms of place intervention that could be implemented to support the foundational economy in Northwich; and finally, it offers conclusions and recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders.
Background
Barons Quay: A Brief Overview
Barons Quay is a mixed-use development located in the heart of Northwich, Cheshire. The project was conceived in the early 2010s as part of a broader strategy to regenerate the town centre and enhance its appeal as a regional shopping and leisure destination. The development includes a range of retail units, a cinema, restaurants, and residential apartments, as well as public spaces designed to improve the overall urban environment.
The vision for Barons Quay was ambitious, aiming to attract major retail brands and provide a modern, vibrant space for both residents and visitors. However, the development has faced significant challenges since its completion. Despite substantial public investment and incentives for businesses to locate in the area, Barons Quay has struggled to attract and retain tenants, resulting in high vacancy rates and limited footfall. The underperformance of the development has raised concerns about its long-term viability and its impact on the wider Northwich economy.
The Foundational Economy
The concept of the foundational economy has gained traction in recent years as an alternative framework for understanding and addressing economic challenges, particularly in regions facing deindustrialization or economic decline. The foundational economy refers to the sectors of the economy that provide essential goods and services necessary for the everyday life of communities. These sectors include health and social care, education, retail, utilities, public transport, and housing (Bentham et al., 2013).
Unlike the "growth" economy, which focuses on high-value sectors such as finance, technology, and advanced manufacturing, the foundational economy is concerned with the provision of basic services that are critical to social well-being and cohesion. Proponents of the foundational economy argue that these sectors are often overlooked in economic policy, despite their importance in sustaining local communities and providing stable employment (Bowman et al., 2014).
In the context of urban regeneration, the foundational economy framework suggests that interventions should prioritize the needs of the local population and ensure that developments contribute to the resilience and inclusivity of the community. This approach emphasizes the importance of place-based strategies that are tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of local areas, rather than adopting one-size-fits-all solutions that may not address the underlying issues (Foundational Economy Collective, 2018).
The Current State of Barons Quay
Economic and Social Challenges
The challenges facing Barons Quay are multifaceted, involving economic, social, and spatial dimensions. One of the most significant issues is the high vacancy rate of retail units within the development. Despite efforts to attract major retailers, many units remain unoccupied, leading to a lack of vibrancy and activity in the area. This issue is exacerbated by the broader decline in high-street retail, driven by the rise of e-commerce and changing consumer behaviour (Wrigley & Lambiri, 2015).
The underutilization of Barons Quay has also had social implications. The development was intended to provide a focal point for community activities and social interaction, but the lack of footfall and activity has limited its ability to fulfil this role. As a result, Barons Quay has struggled to integrate with the wider town centre, and there is a perception among some residents that the development is disconnected from the rest of Northwich.
Furthermore, the design and layout of Barons Quay have been criticized for failing to create a welcoming and accessible environment. The development's modern, corporate aesthetic contrasts with the historic character of Northwich, and some have argued that it lacks the human scale and diversity of uses needed to create a lively urban space (Tallon, 2013). This has contributed to a sense of alienation among some members of the community, who feel that the development does not reflect their needs or values.
The Role of the Foundational Economy
The challenges facing Barons Quay can be understood through the lens of the foundational economy. The high vacancy rates and limited footfall in the development suggest that it is not meeting the everyday needs of the local population. While Barons Quay was designed to attract regional shoppers and visitors, it appears to have neglected the foundational aspects of the local economy, such as affordable retail options, community services, and accessible public spaces.
The failure to engage with the foundational economy has had several consequences. First, the development has struggled to attract a diverse range of tenants, particularly independent businesses and social enterprises that are more closely aligned with the needs of the local community. This has limited the variety of goods and services available in Barons Quay, making it less attractive to residents.
Second, the lack of focus on the foundational economy has contributed to a disconnect between Barons Quay and the rest of Northwich. The development's design and tenant mix have not been integrated with the existing urban fabric, leading to a sense of separation and exclusion. This has undermined the potential for Barons Quay to serve as a hub for community activities and social interaction.
Finally, the failure to prioritize the foundational economy has limited the resilience of Barons Quay in the face of economic challenges. The decline of high street retail and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed the vulnerabilities of developments that rely on a narrow range of economic activities. By contrast, developments that are more closely aligned with the foundational economy are better positioned to weather economic shocks and sustain community well-being.
The Case for Place Intervention
The Need for a Place-Based Approach
Given the challenges facing Barons Quay, there is a clear need for place intervention to realign the development with the needs of Northwich's foundational economy. Place-based interventions are strategies that focus on the specific characteristics, needs, and opportunities of a particular location. Unlike top-down approaches, which apply uniform solutions across different areas, place-based interventions are tailored to the unique context of a place, taking into account its history, culture, economy, and social fabric (Barca et al., 2012).
In the case of Barons Quay, a place-based approach would involve rethinking the development's role within the wider town centre and ensuring that it contributes to the resilience and inclusivity of the local economy. This would require a shift away from the original vision of Barons Quay as a regional shopping destination, towards a more diverse and community-oriented development that supports the foundational economy.
Key Areas for Intervention
1. Tenant Mix and Economic Diversity
One of the most pressing areas for intervention is the tenant mix within Barons Quay. To better align the development with the foundational economy, it is essential to attract a more diverse range of tenants, including independent businesses, social enterprises, and community services. This could be achieved through a combination of financial incentives, such as reduced rents and business support, as well as targeted marketing and outreach efforts to attract tenants that reflect the needs and values of the local community (Gibb & O’Sullivan, 2010).
In addition to attracting new tenants, it is important to support the retention and growth of existing businesses within Barons Quay. This could involve providing additional resources for business development, such as training and mentoring programs, as well as creating opportunities for collaboration and networking among tenants. By fostering a supportive environment for businesses, Barons Quay can become a hub for economic activity and innovation in Northwich.
2. Public Space and Social Infrastructure
The design and layout of Barons Quay also require intervention to create a more welcoming and accessible environment. This could involve reconfiguring public spaces to prioritize pedestrian access, improve connectivity with the rest of the town centre, and create opportunities for social interaction. Public spaces should be designed to accommodate a range of activities, from markets and festivals to informal gatherings and recreational use, ensuring that they are accessible and inviting to all members of the community (Carmona et al., 2010).
In addition to physical improvements, there is a need for greater investment in social infrastructure within Barons Quay. This could include the provision of community facilities, such as meeting spaces, cultural venues, and educational programs, as well as support for community-led initiatives and events. By enhancing the social infrastructure of Barons Quay, the development can become a focal point for community life in Northwich, fostering social cohesion and inclusion.
3. Integration with the Wider Town Centre
A key challenge for Barons Quay is its integration with the wider town centre. To address this, place interventions should focus on improving the physical and functional connectivity between Barons Quay and the rest of Northwich. This could involve enhancing pedestrian and cycling routes, improving signage and wayfinding, and creating new connections between Barons Quay and nearby neighbourhoods (Gehl, 2010).
In addition to physical improvements, there is a need for greater coordination between Barons Quay and other stakeholders in the town centre, including local businesses, community groups, and public authorities. This could involve the establishment of a town centre management partnership or a similar collaborative body, responsible for overseeing the integration of Barons Quay with the wider urban area. By fostering a more coordinated approach to town centre management, Barons Quay can be better integrated into the social and economic fabric of Northwich.
4. Sustainable and Resilient Development
Finally, place interventions should aim to enhance the sustainability and resilience of Barons Quay. This could involve the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in the management and operation of the development, such as energy efficiency measures, waste reduction initiatives, and the promotion of sustainable transport options. In addition, there is a need for greater emphasis on social sustainability, ensuring that the development provides opportunities for employment, education, and social inclusion for all members of the community (Rydin, 2010).
To support the long-term resilience of Barons Quay, it is important to foster a sense of ownership and stewardship among local residents and businesses. This could involve the creation of mechanisms for community participation in decision-making processes, as well as the promotion of local enterprise and innovation. By empowering the local community to take an active role in the development of Barons Quay, place interventions can help to create a more resilient and sustainable urban environment.
Conclusion
The Barons Quay development in Northwich represents a significant investment in urban regeneration, but it has faced substantial challenges in achieving its goals. The high vacancy rates, limited footfall, and lack of community engagement have highlighted the need for place intervention to realign the development with the needs of Northwich's foundational economy.
Through the lens of the foundational economy, this article has identified several key areas where intervention is necessary, including the tenant mix, public space, integration with the wider town centre, and the sustainability and resilience of the development. By adopting a place-based approach to intervention, policymakers and stakeholders can ensure that Barons Quay contributes to the long-term well-being and prosperity of Northwich, rather than merely pursuing short-term growth objectives.
In conclusion, the case for place intervention at Barons Quay is clear. To realize the full potential of the development and support the foundational economy of Northwich, it is essential to prioritize the needs of the local community, foster economic diversity, enhance social infrastructure, and promote sustainability and resilience. By doing so, Barons Quay can become a model for community-oriented urban regeneration, creating a vibrant and inclusive space that serves the needs of all residents.
References
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