RSW Partnership ( www.rswpartnership.co.uk )
Streetscape Consultancy
RSW Partnership, based in Southend on Sea, has traded as Design – Engineer – Manage construction consultancy for some 27 years. We provide a multi-disciplined consultancy service within the construction sector delivering many high value “flag ship” projects within the United Kingdom and Overseas both within the public and private sectors, understanding our clients’ need for a full and cost effective service.
RSW Partnership has acted as “The Consultant” for Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (SOSBC) during the past 5 - 6 years and has undertaken, in this public sector, a programme of Architectural Streetscape works under a full design and management commission. The construction works value was some £3¾M.
Extract: The Business Plan Shape Objective, 2 October 2000
“For Southend to be transformed into a “vibrant, better, safer and more pleasant urban environment”, there is a need to create a quality environment for visitors and residents to spend their leisure time. This will lead to higher GDP, which contributes to the reduction of disparities and greater prosperity for the East of England Region as a whole.”
“To reshape, consolidate and enhance the physical structure and environment of the strategic town centre ‘corridor’ (from the ‘Gateway’ at Prittlewell into Southend, through the High Street to the Pier and Foreshore), to create an integrated ‘tourism experience’, which will attract and engage visitors to Southend, and to improve the quality of the leisure time experience for all.”
The High Street improvements have greatly assisted the promotion of Southend as an attractive shopping option as evidenced by Monsoon and other major retailers moving in to the high street. This together with the new college and university teaching facilities has increased footfall along the High Street to the upper limits of expectations.
As often stated we become a victim of our own success, that is the more people using the High Street the greater the demand on maintenance, supply and repair.
Results
The implementation of the Business Plan and has taken footfall from some 40,000 per day to 140,000 (estimated). The acid test being no shops for let in the High Street. Great news for traders and shoppers but it requires bold commitment and determination to provide kick-start investment and then to maintain that investment. This dogged determination to see a regeneration programme delivered is evidenced by the statistics of success.
As victims of our own success we have learnt many lessons hand in glove with the authority. Not least of all that all designs, including street furniture, has to be extremely robust to withstand general usage and attacks from the public, vandals and damage by traders, their suppliers and their sub contractors as premises are upgraded.
www.southend.gov.uk/news/?id=1675
Consequences
With such a large number of people impacting on the High Street, it is obvious that Robust Street Furniture is essential. For example, timber slatted furniture was destroyed in three days.
In respect of product development, RSW Partnership have researched and developed Robust Street Furniture and formed an independent company by that name, Robust Street Furniture Limited. Key to this is the development of a unique pavement uplighter brand name “Trojan”. |
“Trojan Upligher" |
Product Range
Standard
The standard range of seating, bollards, waste bins etc can be found on the following links.
Bespoke
As designers we recognise the importance of bringing something new and vibrant to the project. Therefore, we simply recognise others will wish to do the same and we can provide this design and engineering service to others. |
