Bedford was always, inevitably going to crumble quicker than most areas, more than 15 years of declining retail and with rigid planning decisions refusing to allow a reallocation of use.


We are, as I write this – 6.30pm ish on Monday the 7th of December all wondering whether the House of Fraser or ‘Fraser’ group are going to make a successful bid to keep Debenhams – part of the Arcadia group.  

Critical Space

Time to reverse the tend. The worrying state of the high streets, seem to be being blamed on online. However, there is still footfall in the towns, even now, when theres nothing to attract them.

Times gone by...

Many will remember me from some fairly busy years 2006-2014 whereby I was focusing on providing resources to the consumer, these stemming around areas of lifestyle, shopping, homes, the things that we enjoy spending our money on. Many more of you will nostalgically remember the days when shops were either cheap (and nasty) or expensive (and posh) and many more may hear the distant echos of ‘British Manufacturing is here to stay – to be world renowned as a TRADEMARK of quality’. What actually happened was all the Brits in their true wisdom took all their blueprints of their innovations to China to take advantage of cheap manufacturing, and, I have to say from my experience, avoid some exceptionally lazy owners of manufacturing output in the UK.

Open-up the conversation now!

Please open this conversation – I have ideas, just as I know many do, that could produce drawn-up, feasibility tested and researched plans, there are organisations such as the IOD, start-up and community groups that when combined with architects and planners - are all able to make a real difference in the UKs visible economy and start creating some much-needed energy and employment for all Towns across the UK that will inevitably suffer the results of the pandemic – let’s start the conversation.

Freelancer specialising in design, marketing and project management

This page is put together in the hope of opening up conversation - there are many groups and individuals out there trying to do so much for Bedford - and they are making a difference, however, what the town needs is Money - and lots of it.

I appreciate that the strategies I have highlighted here and the efforts being made are perhaps taking a very simplistic view, however, my point is that the ideas are not strong enough to attract the investment, the past rather visible arguments between previous, prominant retailers and the council have rather a damaging effect and the current situation needs more attention. 

Innovation, business and start-ups are areas that I care about and I will aim to create a number of articles on topics, towns and regions that are in the spotlight - for reasons of success - and those that are facing similar scenarios to Bedford.

My freelance services are essentially designed to elevate your current marketing positions, intelligently and affordably providing you with extra resource to allow you to achieve a true multi-channel or omnichannel integrated approach to your marketing.

With agency and client-side experience I am able to project manage across internal and external teams, allowing access to advanced branding and marketing activities, including market research, at a fraction of the price and whilst utilising the specialist individuals that can deliver to key pre-defined, strategic metrics.

freelance Marketing Packages