Projects & Clients

L&R International’s projects and clients encompass the full spectrum of sport, leisure, tourism and cultural activity, and the various agencies and organisations involved in delivery.

Our range of services is reflected by this representative selection of commissions (also see Case Studies).

Top Level Strategic Reviews

Wokingham Cultural Strategy

L&R developed an over-arching cultural strategy, including an arts strategic framework and a sports strategy for the unitary authority of Wokingham. This involved wide consultation and liaison with a Steering Group.

Isle of Wight Cultural Strategy

L&R prepared a cultural strategy for the Island, based on an extensive public consultation process conducted by the Council and strategic consultations and reviews undertaken by L&R.  A key feature of the strategy is its special focus on issues that characterise the Isle of Wight.

The Somme Association, Northern Ireland

Building upon previous work for the Association, L&R worked with Northern Ireland partners, TTC International, to prepare a comprehensive strategic review of the Association. This included governance, management and assets including visitor centres in Bangor, Northern Ireland, and Thiepval, France. Previously, a review had been undertaken for the Northern Ireland Government of the operation and funding of the Ulster Tower Memorial and Association Visitor Centre at Thiepval. This became the basis for revised Government funding for the Memorial.

Project Advice & Advocacy

Upton Community Visitor Centre, Northampton

L&R reviewed the planned Upton Centre, located at the heart of a leading edge, eco-friendly residential development. Appointed by the Land Restoration Trust and English Partnerships, L&R prepared a market assessment, consulted locally, explored the management options and developed a business plan for the new centre. The Upton Centre will combine interpretation of the countryside and urban sustainability, with community rooms and changing facilities for the adjoining playing fields, to serve Northampton.

Eastbourne Borough Council

A major challenge was the planning, co-ordination and implementation of outsourcing processes over 5 years for the management of sports, leisure, theatre and catering facilities at this leading international resort. This included facility, business and event reviews across the Devonshire Park Cultural Quarter (including the International Tennis Centre and regional theatres), Sovereign Centre, Sports Park and seafront facilities.

Business & Operational Planning

Business Planning Monitor and Advisor to the Millennium Commission and Heritage Lottery Fund

Business and operational planning reviews of grant applications have been undertaken for the Lottery Funds for over 70 major national and regional projects, including many of the most prestigious projects.

Chilterns Gateway Visitor Centre – Dunstable Downs

Working with Bedfordshire Council and the National Trust, L&R assessed the market potential and prepared a business plan for the new visitor centre to serve Dunstable Downs as part of a government funded scheme for urban development in the sub-region.

Practical Tourism Marketing

Transmanche Strategic Marketing Plan

Together with its French partners, L&R worked with the officers of Kent County Council and Nord Pas de Calais CRT to produce a joint strategic marketing plan. The Plan built on the decade of collaboration between the two organisations since the advent of the Channel Tunnel, with a focus on common interests, tourism ‘products’ and markets.

Belfast City Tourism for Laganside Corporation

• Events Strategy, Action Plan, Launch and subsequent Update
• A 4-year contract to plan the opening and directly manage the European Commission supported visitor centre beside the Lagan Weir in the heart of the City
• Sail Belfast Lough Event Appraisal (for Consortium of N. Ireland Local Authorities & HM Government)

Weston-super-Mare Regeneration Strategy (North Somerset Council & SWRDA)

An analysis of the recreational and tourism context for Weston-super-Mare, a review of local tourism and recreational needs and preparation of a development framework, forming part of the wider regeneration masterplan prepared by Gillespies.

Hands-on management of special projects

Tourism in the 21st Century – Slovak Tourism Development Seminar

L&R organised and presented a major tourism development seminar in central Slovakia in partnership with Mateja Bela University, the Slovak Tourist Board and the British Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia.

Towner Gallery, Eastbourne Borough Council

This commission involved assisting the Council over a period of a year to prepare for and plan the operation of this new £9M regional art gallery funded by SEEDA, the Arts Council and Heritage Lottery Fund. L&R were involved in all aspects of pre-planning, including human resources, business planning, building and emergency procedures and the staff training.