Survey reveals low hopes for ‘levelling up’ after pandemic

More than a third of people (38%) living in the North West fear their local community will be left behind other areas as a result of the pandemic, according to new research.

The research by communications consultancy Social for its first Place Index Report also found that 57% of those in the North West said their community would not be better off as result of the pandemic.

More than half of those surveyed in the North West (53%) said they didn’t expect to see any investment in local facilities such as shops, schools and leisure centres despite 68% saying facilities had deteriorated in the past five years.

While the survey also found only 19% and 26% of people in the South East and London respectively, feel they’d be left behind compared to the 38% in the North West.

Two thirds of respondents (65%) from across Britain said their local high street was important to them, with that figure rising to 68% for those in the North West.

However, 37% of all adults said they felt their local high street had no future, falling to 25% in London.

‘Our Place Index report highlights a disconnect between the government’s levelling up ambitions and confidence in those communities which stand to benefit from it,’ said  Social director Ben Lowndes.

‘As a business that works in local communities across the UK, we recognise and support the ambition to reduce regional inequalities that persist in Britain. But these findings suggest that much more needs to be done to gain confidence and trust of those living in areas that stand to benefit.

‘Local communities have faced tremendous pressures during lockdown and places have experienced dramatic changes to their high streets, public services and amenities. They must be involved meaningfully in conversations about the future of those areas if ‘levelling up’ is to mean anything to them.’

Another key finding from The Place Index was low level engagement in consultations.

Whilst just under half (47%) of those surveyed in the North West said they had seen or heard about a consultation in their area, just 28% said they have contributed to or attended one. The research goes on to show further differences in engagement rates based on age and ethnic background.

An additional challenge for place-makers is the lack of trust, with North West respondents saying they are more trusting of their local authority (37%) and friends, family and personal contacts (20%) and the local media (20%), than they are of housebuilders (11%) or campaign groups (9%) to provide clear and accurate information on proposed developments.

The insights highlight the communications challenges for any organisation wanting to deliver sustainable, inclusive places. The report recommends a five-part framework for better engagement on the development process.

‘Our study indicates a clear challenge for those with an interest in property development with more than a quarter of respondents saying they do not trust anyone to provide accurate information,’ added Lowndes.

‘The results also indicate that people, wherever they live, support their local high street and yearn for those things that make great places.

‘It is telling that people say they trust local authorities and other members of their community more when it comes to information about new developments. But the low levels of trust across the board has implications for how we engage people about the projects that will shape their local area.

‘The time for talking at communities or telling them what to expect is over. Taking steps to earn people’s trust should be a central part of any serious attempt to change places after the pandemic ends.’

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