What we’ve done
In the early phases of the programme, our strategy was to undertake community engagement to articulate the regeneration vision. As the programme progressed, this shifted to property marketing to attract companies to the premises being developed and so help generate jobs.
Our work has included:
- community engagement to build support for the regeneration programme
- public consultation to gauge local views & help secure planning consents
- a media campaign to raise the profile of the regeneration programme, with media training for the spokesperson team
- support for funding bids which have raised more than £100 million
- brand identity development for a wide range of property schemes
- property marketing to attract occupiers to new offices & business parks. This has included media & stakeholder relations, business events, advertising, direct marketing plus the creation of websites, brochures & signage
- issue management to combat opposition from vocal anti-development protestors
Results
Sea Change’s drive to redevelop the Sovereign Harbour area of Eastbourne is progressing well, with its first offices there (pictured above) 85% let, thanks to a successful marketing campaign.
We’ve played our part in the transformation of Hastings, with the previously run-down town centre replaced by an evolving business and education district of new office and college buildings next to a glassy new station. We succeeded in attracting, amongst others, Saga to this district to run a new insurance operation, making it the town’s largest private sector employer, and the Government’s Department of Work & Pensions (DWP), bringing hundreds of jobs to the town centre.
We’re also supporting Sea Change’s development of a major new business community as part of an urban extension to Bexhill. This includes two new roads, two office buildings, 20 industrial units and further sites for sale on a business park ranging over 42-acres of land.
Awards
Our marketing work to support the regeneration programme for East Sussex has won:
- a Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Award for Best Community Campaign
- a Pride Award for Best Public Sector Programme
The client’s view
“We’ve been consistently delighted with TK Associates’ service. They offer sound advice, bring a very necessary external view and deliver to tight deadlines.
They’ve proved a valuable addition to our team, providing research, communications strategy and marketing programmes across our economic development projects.
They’ve run consultation programmes, ensuring engagement with the public, community groups, local councillors and stakeholders. One programme, which won an award, resulted in high approval of urban redevelopment proposals which then received planning permission with no objections.
They’ve provided targeted communication campaigns to national government, helping to secure funding for projects, and marketing approaches to blue-chip companies.
Our work has been enhanced by TK’s messaging and copywriting. Their spokesperson training has given our senior team the confidence to promote our work. Their crisis planning has enabled us to avoid costly mistakes.
We’ve been delighted with the results of their ongoing PR campaign, where TK Associates have provided knowledgeable responses to media enquiries and actively promoted our messages across print, TV and radio. Our properties have received much greater coverage than would be expected for projects of their size.
TK Associates quickly achieved an impressive knowledge of our business, they challenge us and demonstrate a full appreciation of the sensitivities of our work and our sometimes conflicting priorities. I have no hesitation in recommending them to other clients.”
Abigail Gilbert, Communications Manager
