Everybody needs…

How many towns promote neighbouring villages as part of their marketing and comms. Are your #highstreet businesses doing the same in their own social media…?

I ask following an enjoyable and insightful day with #TheVacantShopsAcademy in Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield where the #BID Brentwood Connected covers all three places, and joint / cross-promotion is part of a really interesting conversation.

🤔 We first suggested this might be a positive ‘next step’ during a ‘health check’ project with a range of locations in South Gloucestershire. It’d be great to hear whether #placemaking friends in other towns have experience of trying it.

🏛️ It might be that your history or heritage buildings and features are something you could encourage visitors to make the short journey between locations for;

🛍️ The town’s brand #retail and #hospitality offer may be an attraction to village residents and their #indie businesses could make it worth a trip out of town;

🎭 Or it could be installations, #streetart, leisure, learning, events, markets & more that you think to focus on to make the whole greater than what each place has on its own.

Do let us know…