An important community facility and focal point, the Ladybrook Shopping Precinct was under threat. Unobserved and poor quality parking areas at the rear of this shopping precinct encouraged vandalism and trade bins were set alight by young people. People were frightened to use the car parking areas and shops, effecting the economic and social climate of the whole precinct.

Spearheaded by local traders, a 3 year programme of environmental and security improvements was initiated to secure the longer term future of the shopping precinct as a community focal point, win back customers and cut crime and shop-lifting.

This case study examines the achievements of a partnership initiated & led by a group of local traders lobbying to reverse the economic decline of their shopping precinct serving a large estate of 3000 households in Mansfield.

Vandalism in the rear car parking areas was frightening off customers which in turn was having a knock on effect on the economic and social climate of the whole precinct.

With the help of Council regeneration, libraries and business support officers together with the local police, practical & highly effective solutions including environmental improvements & CCTV were developed in the first two phases.

The Ladybrook Place Estate Traders Group Organisation (LETSGO) was formed in 2002. Local resident involvement was secured through the small Neighbourhood Management team.

Phase 1 of a ‘Revitalisation Programme’ in the 2002/03 improved general security and CCTV. Phase Two concentrated on environmental issues and modernising the local library. Improvements were agreed and completed before SRB funding ceased in April 2004, concentrating on practical problems. The County Council decided to commit match funds to enable further improvements for the Library.

Phase 3 is underway, addressing disabled access. Mansfield District Council provided a secretariat during the active phases to support the Traders Meeting.

Dramatic increases in pedestrian and car flow, reversal of the decline in turnover and the cessation of vandalism has transformed the atmosphere and future of the shopping precinct. By phase 2 the local Neighbourhood Management Team was thriving; thirty residents are now volunteering at the project providing support to the local community.

Integration of pressure groups into the wider Neighbourhood Management framework at their formative stages is important. It was Important for Renewal/Regeneration Officers to have specialist Business Support Officers involved. Secretarial & other support to the Traders Meeting was needed to keep them going and mediate in competition issues between shops.

Residents, traders, public services

Partners:

Funds:

Regeneration East Midlands (REM)
info@regenerationem.co.uk

//2003

case

Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention > Crime prevention

Camera surveillance, Designing out crime