Whale-like-fish was appointed by The Highland Council in February 2019 to assist with communications around the Inverness Townscape Heritage Project (ITHP).
ITHP is a grant-giving scheme that helps communities to regenerate conservation areas displaying particular social or economic need.
Focusing on Academy Street, the Townscape Heritage project involves a number of funders contributing to a project fund from which grants are given to local property owners, businesses and organisations to allow them to carry out high-quality repairs and historic reinstatement to properties and spaces within the defined Townscape Heritage area.
With less than two years remaining to achieve the aims of the project, we were appointed to achieve the following objectives:
- Encourage more property owners on Academy Street to apply for a grant
- Generate awareness, understanding and support for the ITHP amongst key stakeholders, especially the public
Our work with ITHP consisted of the following:
- Announcement of milestones for key projects on Academy Street, via press releases and social media content, including:
- The reinstatement of historic mosaics to Rose Street Foundry, 96 Academy Street
- Renovation of Blackfriars pub, announced with a visit by Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, and Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity
- Encouraging attendance at events coordinated by ITHP to help building owners and occupiers maintain traditional buildings or learn about Inverness’ archaeological history via:
- Press releases prior to and following events
- Social media content and visuals prior to events, linking to booking pages
- Instagram and Facebook Stories from the events
- Encouraging attendance of business owners on Academy Street at third party events, such as Business Gateway training via:
- Social media content, including videos created by Whale-like-fish
- Inclusion in an ITHP newsletter
- Newsletter updates on ITHP, including details of:
- The latest news, e.g. historic mosaics being restored and returned to Rose Street Foundry, including quotes from employees of the building’s former occupier, AI Welders
- Information on the ITHP Employability Programme, including quotes from an employability programme employee and a business that has employed a traditional buildings apprentice thanks to the programme
- Photos of the latest events, including quotes from attendees, and details of upcoming events
- Details of the support available for building owners and occupiers on Academy Street, including links to apply for grants
- Preparing statements from ITHP and/or councillors if funding applications are refused
- Social media content and replying to enquiries from followers
During the Covid-19 lockdowns, we also devised two social media quizzes to keep followers entertained. Each quiz asked followers a question a day, testing their knowledge on the history of Academy Street and Inverness.
With the project coming to an end in March 2021, Whale-like-fish was then appointed to produce a video celebrating the project and the work carried out throughout. This video was produced alongside RedBeard Productions and can be viewed here.
Get in touch on hello@whalelikefish.co.uk to see how we could help you!
Banner image: Rose Street Foundry mosaics, Alison White Photography