One Public Estate: BPF Futures Challenge

Partnering For Change: Bringing New Life To Urban Centres.

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Photo of people standing on the stairs

The One Public Estate programme, led by the Office of Government Property and LGA; the British Property Federation (BPF), which supports the property industry’s largest network for young professionals, BPF Futures; and U+I, the specialist regeneration developer, have joined forces to run the BPF Futures Challenge #HighStreetChallenge.

The #HighStreetChallenge aims to put the property sector’s future leaders at the heart of solving one of the biggest challenges facing our towns and cities. How do we reimagine our Urban Centers? The aim of the challenge is to put fresh thinking from the property industries future leaders at the heart of the solution.

Over 20 local authorities within the One Public Estate programme submitted proposals in a bid to become the focus of the challenge and secure an investment of £100,000 to reinvigorate an urban area. Tameside Council successfully qualified to be the subject of the BPF Futures #HighStreetChallenge with their proposal for the market town of Hyde and the creation of a southern gateway.  The Gateway would help define the edge of the town centre, bring back into use an iconic building and begin the process to modernise Hyde’s town centre.

Photo of people with a model town - OPE photo

The challenge has garnered ministerial support from The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP who commented, “It's important that high streets continue to play their vital role at the heart of our communities and better use of public property can have a significant impact in reconfiguring and revitalising town centres.  I am therefore delighted to be supporting this exciting initiative through the One Public Estate programme. I congratulate all those who have taken part in the challenge and especially the winning team.  I look forward to the results of the challenge being put into effect in Hyde.”

On 25 September 12 teams of 98 challengers drawn from both the private and public sectors spent the day focusing on how to reinvigorate Hyde town centre and bring new life to the area. Each team, which included Tameside Council employees, pitched a proposal that focused on finding a solution to the issues arising in Hyde. After much consideration Team 7 “Reynolds Street” took the top spot.

We’re excited to develop fresh and innovative proposals that will be a solid foundation towards a sustainable, accessible and community service-rich centre that will really take Hyde forward into the 21st century.” - Councillor Brenda Warrington – Tameside Council.

Melanie Leech Chief Executive of British Property Federation, made the announcement earlier today at MIPIM UK:

“We had genuine difficulty in picking a winner because the standard was so high but we agreed on the best package of proposals because of its strong vision for the area, with a focus on health and healthy living; the involvement of a variety of different parts of the public sector; the integration and co-location of services; the creation of an app to help people find the services they need; and steps to increase footfall and attract new businesses to the area”Melanie Leech – Chief Executive of British Property Federation

The winners will see their idea piloted in Hyde and Tameside Council will receive £100,000 to bring the teams’ proposal to life through the government’s One Public Estate programme.