Urban Destinations
"What keeps you going isn't some fine destination but
just the road you're on, and the fact you know how to drive"
American novelist
"Urban Destinations" is the team within Grant Thornton's UK LLP
Government, Infrastructure and Advisory group responsible for
delivering solutions to the leisure and tourism sector.
Our focus is about creating destinations, through the animation
and programming of spaces and places, and enhancing their financial
performance. We look at establishing a financial link between
masterplans, focusing on delivery, maximising value for money and
creating a framework for long term delivery.
We help to interpret that vision by overlaying flexible,
understandable financial tools to help our clients make the right
decisions. These tools consider structural choices, timing
differences, scale of ambition and available budgets before
presenting a workable, deliverable and financially robust
solution.
Our core product and service
offering includes
- Financial and strategic planning business planning
- Visitor destination appraisals and visitor modelling
- Efficiency and effectiveness reviews
- Financial modelling:
- Economic impact assessments
Case Study 1: 2012 Legacy Park Business
Planning
Following on from the development of an Outline Business Plan
for the 2012 Legacy Park on Grant Thornton has been involved in
developing legacy business plans for each of the 2012 legacy
venues, including the stadium, VeloPark, handball arena, aquatics
centre, Eton Manor and parklands and public realm. Specific
activities included:
- Establishing the vision and strategy for the venues and Park as
a whole;
- Determining potential uses and their animation, with a focus on
an events programme;
- Operational review, including staffing, marketing etc;
- Visitor modelling to estimate the number and type of potential
visitors; and
- Financial modelling, with associated sensitivities.
Case Study 2: Three Mills Creative Industries
Assessment
We assessed the options for the future use, long term viability
and regeneration benefits of 3 Mills Studios. This involved a
review of the site operations and provided the London Development
Agency with a better understanding of the financial and commercial
position. Specific activities included:
- Extensive consultation within the creative sector to help
inform the final strategy;
- Assessing the viability of the film studio and their future
operations;
- Identifying and reviewing the different tenants on the site;
and
- Recommendations on retaining a sustainable cultural offer on
the site which is complementary to the proposed development of the
area.
We bring extensive analytical and financial modelling experience
coupled with a practical understanding of destinations and what
makes them great. We provide a pragmatic, flexible and proactive
approach complemented by a passion for making places and spaces
function more effectively.
For more information please contact:
Edmund Papworth
Associate Director
020 7728 2435
edmund.papworth@gtuk.com
Carmen Niemeyer
Manager
020 7728 2759
carmen.niemeyer@gtuk.com