Freshfield advises on Winckley Square consultation

Freshfield has helped complete the first stage of a public consultation on the future of Winckley Square.

The consultation is being run by the Winckley Square Community Interest Company (WSCIC), which Freshfield advises on a pro-bono basis.

Over 200 people took part in the online Have Your Say questionnaire with the majority of respondents demanding a simple and sympathetic restoration.

Freshfield developed the WSCIC brand identity and website in October 2011, when the company was formed to help drive the revival of Preston’s historic Georgian square. It also provides PR and social media support.

Michael Gregory, a director at Freshfield, said: “Consultation should be at the heart of any regeneration project. We’re putting people at the heart of our plans and helping them shape the future of this marvelous but neglected civic space.

“Increasingly, local communications will be crucial to testing any major planning application under the new Localism Bill which came into force in 2011 and makes consultation a must.”

“This is a fantastic project to be involved in. We’re putting our stakeholder engagement talents to the tests while giving something back to the community.”

The WSCIC plans to launch a Green Paper in September 2012 setting out its full recommendations, artist impressions and funding requirements for a sympathetic revival of Winckley Square.

Here are the full results of the Winckley Square Consultation.