Providing advice and support for
The Cultural Sector
Work areas: audience development, consultation, intepretation
We have been working with Leicester City Council on this historic neighbourhood park situated in an area of high deprivation just outside the city centre. DBA Consulting were initially engaged to write an audience development plan to support a Parks for People HLF bid. We also prepared an interpretation and learning strategy for the park and a business plan for the park café.
The audience development work involved extensive community consultation, working closely with the Friends of Spinney Hill Park and the Parks Officers to identify users and non-users and to explore community needs. A detailed community audit explored the area around the park at a micro-level, identifying areas and demographic segments which were under-represented in the visitor profile. This provided a clear starting point from which to plan future audience development activity. We also helped to develop the Friends Group and ensure they had the necessary skills to have a meaningful role in the project.
The project has now been granted its funding (£2.5 million from the Parks for People fund) and we are working with Leicester City Council to develop the interpretation content.
Work areas: business planning, strategic planning
Heaton Park is the largest area of open space in the City of Manchester. We prepared a business plan for a Heritage Lottery Fund Stage II application to secure funding for the park in 2000.
More recently, we prepared a business development plan for the future operation of the park. We worked with the Council to consider how best to maximise commercial opportunities at Heaton Park while maintaining a high level of service for users and the local community. This work was undertaken in partnership with L&R Consulting.
Work areas: business planning, options appraisal, financial forecasts
Lloyd and Aveling is an urban park with close associations to William Morris, whose childhood home is located within the park.
Plans to redevelop the park with £3.6 million of lottery funding include a new hub building at the centre of the park. DBA Consulting were engaged to write a business plan for the hub building, including an options appraisal for its use, market context, financial forecasts for the preferred option, and consideration of risks.
Work areas: audience development, audience research, options appraisal
This historic park in the centre of Exeter incorporates a Roman Wall and bank, as well as the 18th century Rougemont House. Acting as lead consultant for a Parks for People application we undertook an options appraisal and audience development plan, including the visitor research programme.
Using an options appraisal process based on HM Treasury's Green Book methodology, we worked with Exeter City Council to describe and quantify the decision making process. The audience development plan for the gardens was based on substantial primary research into current users and local communities. DBA Consulting undertook a visitor survey in the park. Supported by observational visitor flow work and community consultation, this helped to identify user groups, visitor needs and usage patterns. Key actions to develop these user segments were then outlined in the audience development plan.