Prominent were approached by Woodbridge Town Council to organise and publicise a public consultation on the future of the town’s historic Shire Hall.
The Grade-I listed building in Woodbridge town centre had been identified as needing extensive repairs prior to the pandemic, with the Town Council wishing to gauge public opinion on three potential outcomes for its future.
The building is a beloved feature of Woodbridge and it was imperative the public were well informed about the options which would be paid for using the public purse.
More than 900 responses were received throughout the month-long consultation which ended in June 2023.
Prominent were tasked with writing and designing all editorial materials surrounding the consultation – including an extensive consultation document, post-consultation report, leaflet and website copy.
The consultation document was delivered to every address in the town, with the Prominent team working to tight deadlines to ensure all Woodbridge residents were aware of the start of the consultation period.
A series of press releases were issued to local media outlets highlighting the consultation and upcoming public events, while radio interviews were organised with the Mayor of Woodbridge, Eamonn O’Nolan.
Our editorial content received extensive coverage in the local press, helping drive footfall to the events we helped organise.
Prominent organised a series of events at The Shire Hall throughout the month-long consultation period. These events saw hundreds of attendees throughout the day.
It was imperative that information was available throughout the venue for guests to learn more about the available options – with display boards and pull-up banners created and placed both outside and inside The Shire Hall.
We also liaised with councillors to ensure they were available to speak to the public about any questions or concerns they may have. Media training tips were also given to support them in answering any questions posed by both the press and the public.
Prominent’s design team created a range of content to advertise the consultation period.
This included ensuring our editorial content was clearly displayed and that accessible options were designed for those with disabilities.
A logo for the consultation was designed and used on all editorial materials, as well as the Town Council website and its dedicated consultation page.
A video was also created which was played on a loop at each public event at The Shire Hall.
Belinda Lloyd, Deputy Town Clerk, said:
"I would like to thank the team at Prominent, for their dedication and support during the public consultation for the Shire Hall project in Woodbridge. From the outset, their team exhibited unwavering professionalism, creativity, and an unparalleled commitment to ensuring the consultation's success.
"Prominent's strategic approach, coupled with their ability to engage the community effectively, truly stood out. They orchestrated an informative and inclusive public engagement, encouraging active participation and capturing the essence of our community's diverse perspectives.
"Thanks to their efforts, the Shire Hall project received great interest from the wider community and have also strengthened community ties. I endorse Prominent for their great work and commend them for their invaluable contribution to our project."
Are you organising a public consultation? Contact us today to find out more about how we can help.
Call us on: 01473 276126
Email us on: hello@prominentpr.co.uk
