Outcome

Plans for a Fashion Hub in Hackney, involving the potential loss of affordable housing, would inevitably be controversial. Local Dialogue ran a bespoke consultation, engaging with key local stakeholders, to find out and deal with as many initial concerns at an early stage. Meeting individuals and groups of local residents went hand in hand with communicating the key benefits to a wider audience, using social media, the national, regional and fashion press as well as online videos. Holding the consultation over 18 months also allowed a large audience to have its say. The comprehensive consultation was praised at planning committee, when the proposals were approved in October.