Are we really making a difference in placemaking?
Amy Young, Senior Account Manager at Activate gives her viewpoint.
Attending a recent Creatives & Placemaking event, and then seeing Mary Portas’ e-newsletter drop into my inbox on ‘What makes a place?’, made me ask myself, is the work we’re doing at Activate really making a difference?
Digging deeper into some of the projects I’ve been personally involved with during my nine months at Workman, the answer is clear, we are!
From literacy partnerships and youth focus groups to environmental projects, meanwhile use activation and creative arts – these initiatives all play a key role in the wider place and marketing strategies we’re developing for our clients.
The role of investment in placemaking
The Portas newsletter commentary highlights the growing investment in placemaking, something we’re seeing firsthand at Workman, both in the assets we manage and as part of property management tenders we are responding to. People, place and customer experience are increasingly at the centre of the scope of work.
From investment in customer experience and place audits to long-term place strategies, we’re increasingly seeing asset managers and building surveyors integrate placemaking services into their complete development lifecycles – whether at the early master planning stages, or through to business planning, build and operational stages.
One comment in the newsletter struck a chord, “We need fresh thinking, ideas and dedication to creating places people love to be in – not because they have to be, but because they want to be. Places that enrich and keep enriching life, evolving with the ebb and flow of culture.”
Bespoke and unique
We know that placemaking isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The work our wider team is involved in ensures we’re truly understanding what makes a place unique. How can we harness local insight, respond to real needs and bring this to life in ways that align with a place’s future aspirations. This all supports our overall approach to placemaking, focused on supporting assets to attract and retain their customers.
Recent placemaking highlights:
Manchester Fort Shopping Park
A shopping park located a few minutes’ drive from the city centre, Manchester Fort serves a diverse, hyper-local catchment.
Recent community highlights include partnering with a local charity to host a youth focus group, involving young adults from the area. This provided a valuable opportunity to listen to their views and better understand the needs of this audience.
The session has sparked wider conversations around employment opportunities, CV workshops and skills development. Reviewing how Manchester Fort can support young people during their visits, including opportunities for involvement in co-creating events.
Marshall’s Mill
A former spinning mill located in the Holbeck area of Leeds, the area is home to 85 companies, employing 1,800 people – making it a bustling business neighbourhood.
Working in partnership with the on-site team, Activate delivers an annual programme of events at Marshall’s Mill, including initiatives that bring occupiers together, as well as those designed to engage the wider community.
Up next is a four-week series of wellbeing workshops, part of Mental Health Awareness Week and co-hosted with one of the on-site occupiers. The events feature a variety of curated activities, including a sketch club, outdoor bootcamp and mini massage sessions – all designed to normalise conversations around mental health and support employee wellbeing.
And beyond the results, there’s something deeply rewarding about this work – knowing we’re making a real difference in helping communities and places thrive.
Want to carry on the conversation? View Activate’s latest brochure and highlights video below, or contact us to discuss how we can bring your space to life.
Source: Portas POV e-newsletter, ‘What makes a place’ – March 2025.