Bude Town Centre Vitality Project - Vision and Investment Plan

The purpose of the Bude Town Centre Vitality Project is to rigorously investigate options for revitalising Bude town centre, informed by the opinions of key stakeholders and the wider community. The ultimate aims of the project are to ensure that the town centre can evolve to meet changing patterns of use; can offer the community and its visitors a welcoming, accessible, diverse and vibrant experience, and can support and maintain the viability of businesses and community facilities.

Consultants are asked to:

Oversee the capturing of ideas and include options for improving the town, with considerations for supporting modern ways of working and learning, increasing dwell time, improving air quality and biodiversity, enhancing links to/from the town centre, creating safer greener streets, reimagining the town centre experience, and maximising outdoor space.

Report findings back to the Town Team for review prior to providing indicative capital costs for each individual element of the project, including a total budget and contingency element. Provide artists impressions, concept plans and test feasibility of opportunities identified through public consultation.

Undertake an extensive consultation following a methodology agreed with the Bude Town Team, and in consultation with local businesses, Councillors, voluntary/charitable organisations, and the wider community, agree a collective vision for the town centre. Include preparation and publication of a Vision and Investment Plan for the town centre.

Produce an Economic Benefits Appraisal. Produce an analysis of current users and identify potential future users/emerging trends, together with future requirements.

Review the economic profile of Bude and provide an indication of trends. To include key areas of focus including but not limited to demographics, employment areas, jobs/vacancies, employee travel to work areas.

Assess town centre biodiversity and make recommendations for improvements.

Include an access audit and recommendations for making the town more inclusive for all. This could be in the form of accessibility mapping looking at connectivity and access by public transport/walking/cycling routes.

Undertake a Smart Town Infrastructure Appraisal to review options for connected devices to improve communication and assist workers, students, residents, and their visitors. Estimate costs for options for new smart technologies / internet connectivity solutions to support 5G. To review public access to technology throughout the town and explore how to improve digital connectivity.

To formulate a range of costed interventions to revitalise the town centre and prepare a list of funding opportunities to realise those interventions.

Please submit your project proposal including an overview of your intended approach to the above detailed tasks, a cost to deliver the tasks and any other relevant background. Proposals should be submitted to office@bude-stratton.gov.uk

Additional information: The attached document provides further details regarding the Vision and Investment Plan contract.