From April 6th to June 29th 2015, we will hold a minimum of 400 hours of workshops, lectures and debates. We will also commission a local company to produce two wrought iron signs for the street, which will provide a focal point to support a permanent increase in footfall and commercial interest. The project will attract a diverse range of residents aged 16-90 by showcasing events with themes ranging from floristry and animal husbandry to politics. Weekly themes will relate to national events, such as Adult Learning Week.
EnfieldThinks will publicise the educational options available to residents, whether they’re starting a career or gaining the qualifications they need to try a new one. It will promote the possibilities rather than the pitfalls of aging and will provide exam support for young people. We will demonstrate the potential of Burleigh Way, decrease the vacancy rate and engage residents who may previously have considered further or higher education closed to them.

What we'll deliver:

• We will commission and install two wrought iron Burleigh Way signs
• We will enthuse the community with further & higher education
• We will increase footfall at Burleigh Way
• We will provide a pathway to work for the group of volunteers that help to deliver the project
• We will put Burleigh Way on Enfield Town’s retail map
• We will raise educational and professional aspirations
• We will renovate and re-fit the retail unit, including new signs, furniture and window vinyls

Why it's a great idea:

Enfield Town has 25 empty retail units, the largest number in the Borough, and 7 of these are located on Burleigh Way. The street has struggled to attract commercial tenants and has been empty since construction. The street needs a flagship event and a rebrand to put it on Enfield Town’s retail map and to convince prospective commercial tenants of its viability. EnfieldThinks will significantly increase footfall in the area and will create a buzz in the town as a whole. Events will run until 8pm and will complement the aims of the Council’s Town Centres Management Framework and Core Strategy, as both documents seek to develop a night time economy in the town.
Long term, we aim to make EnfieldThinks an annual festival of education, involving other universities and colleges, and utilising additional urban centres, which will bring larger numbers of people to the Borough’s high streets. It is also the first step in building a case for a high street university campus in the Borough.

Steps to get it done:

• Academics from each partner organisation, as well as guest lecturers and local people, will deliver exciting sessions.
• We will commission a post event report.
• We will commission and install two wrought iron Burleigh Way signs
• We will conduct a footfall survey before and during the event to monitor its effect
• We will conduct a print and social media marketing campaign across the Borough
• We will conduct post event surveys to measure changes in attitudes and aspirations.
• We will use Eventbrite to encourage ticket take up and to gauge interest.
• LBE will project manage the event in conjunction with Birkbeck University’s Business Engagement team.
• The volunteers will help to market, staff and organise the event
• We will have flyers, posters and banners created.
• We will quantify the project's effect by comparing the partners’ before and after enquiry figures.
• We will recruit and train 20 volunteers through the Enfield Volunteer Centre
• We will re-fit a retail unit on Burleigh Way, involving students from our partner organisations where possible.
• We will seek the support of local Councillors and MPs.

EnfieldThinks is an innovative way of reducing the vacancy rate, regenerating the high street, increasing footfall and diversifying the town centre. Enfield Town is an ideal location, as it’s in the middle of the Borough and has excellent public transport links. We have secured £8000 from Birkbeck University and we have an agreement in place to use a unit on Burleigh Way.
There is demand for further and higher education within Enfield, but the opportunities and support available are not always obvious. The Borough lacks a university and falls below the London average in 5 of 7 Nomis categories relating to qualifications. EnfieldThinks will address the demand for educational opportunities and transform Burleigh Way into a productive part of the high street. We will raise aspirations, broaden horizons and rejuvenate the street. We will also start conversations between the business community and education providers to identify and tackle the skills gaps in the local labour market.