Stable, reliable and affordable access to space is the ultimate goal for many in the cultural sector. It takes many supportive partners and hard work to secure it.
Investment in rigourous business planning can inform spatial and design requirements to keep overheads low in the future. This includes understanding the socio-economic, cultural, and spatial context of the area, identifying gaps in cultural infrastructure and community needs, and aligning with local development and regeneration strategies.
Engagement with audiences and consumers – both customers and businesses – can open up new, undiscovered revenue streams. Designing flexible spaces can help organisations adapt as a business model changes and grows.
New models are being tested to find collaborative ways of creating sustainable space within the sector, including creative land trusts and social value leasing and property management.
Bristol City Centre Cultural & Community Space Strategy
Client: Bristol City Council
Working with PRD, we developed a new approach to embedding affordable, inclusive cultural and community spaces within Bristol’s city centre redevelopment. The strategy leverages the new Local Plan requirement for cultural and community space to create a portfolio of spaces which are used for cultural activation, to create a more welcoming and vibrant city centre, and to give the sector access to workspace and new venue space. The strategy is expected to be launched in late 2025 or early 2026.
Gazebo Theatre expansion business planning
Client: West Midlands Combined Authority
Working with We Made That and the team at Gazebo Theatre, we investigated how the Theatre’s existing site could be transformed and expanded to fit their needs and ambitions. Aiming to develop a new theatre space which could be more public-facing, a more diversified programme and income streams would allow the Theatre to strengthen their community impact and grow their staff resource.