LG Challenge 2019 - challenge two

The second test of 2019 saw contestants being put through their paces at the home of LG Challenge 2018 winner Kartar Singh. Wiltshire Council’s task focussed on the aftermath of the Novichok incident in Salisbury, where the loss of 1 million visitors to the city had serious impacts on businesses.


The teams were to produce bid proposals for the government’s Future High Street Fund to help improve life in the city, bring visitors back, and rebuild the local economy.

Learning from their experiences at the first challenge, the teams began planning their time but it wasn’t long before they were thrown into their first session with South Wiltshire Economic Recovery team, followed by a walk around Salisbury city centre and the opportunity to interview businesses, residents and visitors, whilst other team members stayed at the council for speed-networking with key stakeholders. A poignant dinner at Zizzi’s, the recently refurbished and re-opened epicentre of the Novichok incident provided further insight and inspiration and the teams worked late into the night. Up bright and early to finalise their proposals, with Kartar Singh observing both teams, the pressure was on to produce worthy bids.

Team Thrive were first to present, with their idea to develop a high-grade office space and creative hub; a food hub to showcase the unique flavours of Salisbury; and a way-finding and pedestrian strategy to improve the natural flow of the city around iconic landmarks.

Team Ignite then stepped into the hot seat to present their strategy on building closer communities and attract more visitors to the city. The strategy focussed on a heritage trail throughout Salisbury that encouraged people to stay longer with key features including an app and the use of the dove symbol of the city after the incident.

On the judging panel Dominic Somerville, from the LG Challenge Sponsor, Wates, was quick to praise “the amount of work both teams did with the limited information was excellent”. But it was Team Ignite who won, with Alistair Cunningham, Director of Growth, Investment and Place at Wiltshire Council saying that it was a bid he “would feel comfortable putting forward”.