Blog

Counties on the rise as UK economic drivers

They have centuries of history and tradition and often powerful local affiliation but, for a variety of reasons, counties have been overlooked as place players and important economic entities within UK plc. Cities are seen as the big hitters, as the regional centres of population and leading driv...

A new story, a new chapter for our town centres

The figures tell a powerful story. The Centre for Retail Research estimates there are around 50,000 fewer shops on our high streets than just over a decade ago. No wonder so many town centres are struggling to adjust; to find a new future. But in our work around the country we see rich opportu...

Plenty of place pizzazz at City Nation Place UK

15th May 2019 After 13 years extolling the benefits and importance of being place led, developing a distinct and shared story and truly engaging stakeholders in creating a purposeful place it was actually joyous to have a full house celebrating UK best practice in this field. This was t...

Creating Purposeful Places: is brand, help or hindrance?

7th May 2019 “You don’t change perceptions of a place with advertising. You change people’s perceptions by finding the truth, finding an idea(s) that embraces the truth and putting it through everything.” Wally Olins The guru of branding held a strong belief, certainl...

The place to be to talk about place!

Our daily MIPIM memo March 15, 2019 So our annual pilgrimage to where the world’s place and property people meet is coming to an end. This year we were so grateful that the UK presence was largely clustered together by the seafront ... a welcome relief for tired legs and saving on...

A chance encounter behind the seafront scenes

Our daily MIPIM memo March 14, 2019 It’s the stereotypical MIPIM image ... a sun-drenched terrace on the glorious Cannes seafront. But what you don’t see, unless you’re here, is what’s going on behind the scenes. This is the back of the London Pavilion – a bustling hu...

Coventry scores again, but will John be a winner?

Our daily MIPIM memo March 13, 2019 Congratulations Coventry (yet again)! MIPIM is where big property and investment news breaks and we couldn’t be happier that one of the big UK announcements yesterday was another huge boost for our friends in the Midlands. Already well advanc...

A bumpy ride to catch up with place-making friends!

Our daily MIPIM memo March 12, 2019 Phew, we’re here! After a rollercoaster flight through the gales we landed in Nice for MIPIM 2019. Spare a thought for the delegates who were diverted to Genoa! First stop was a favourite MIPIM haunt, Caffe Roma, for the first round of netw...

Together we have a stronger place story to tell

Celia Glynn-Williams is Head of Marketing and Communications for Medway Council. Where is Medway and what does it have to offer? Medway is made up of five towns in Kent – Gillingham, Strood, Chatham, Rochester and Rainham – with a total population of 279,000 people. We have the criti...

We’re growing an exciting vision for our garden town

Claire Hamilton is Director of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town project. thinkingplace have developed a forward looking narrative and brand for Harlow and the surrounding area to help the place attract investment, jobs, people to live, visitors etc. This was enthusiastically embraced by a r...