Services

Planning Solutions is a consultancy firm specialising in identifying, researching and creating new opportunities in the tourism, leisure and recreation sectors. 

Our work is solutions orientated. The approach, based on an in-depth understanding of the market place, ensures that our work robust, strategically relevant and delivers actionable results.

• 1. Market research and intelligence
  Primary and secondary research underpins our work and our market intelligence service helps to identify the needs of tourists and the wider trends which impact on projects in the present and future. This underpins the feasibility studies and business plans we prepare. We can carry out original research and consultation.
  
  
• 2. Feasibility studies and business planning
  We are often commissioned to assess concepts and ideas for new and existing businesses. Generally our work involves a feasibility study and options appraisal. If the outcome is positive a detailed business plan is prepared to assess the proposal in more detail, this would include a market assessment, detailed financial information, visitor modeling, implementation plan and a risk assessment.
  
  
• 3. Tourism strategies and destination planning
  We have worked on several tourism strategy projects with a recent focus on activity tourism and adventure tourism, a growth sector in the UK. The strategies are based upon identifying the needs of local communities and visitors and matching these against market opportunities and funding streams. When preparing a strategy it is important to set out an action plan which enables client organisations to implement the strategy.
  
  
• 4. Concept and product development
  Often working in multi-disciplinary teams we have developed a number of products and concepts particularly in relation to coastal regeneration, the heritage sector, visitor attractions and tourist accommodation. For product and concept development projects we often develop a bespoke scoring matrix to help identify the preferred development scenario. We aim to ensure that development scenarios have a strong market focus.
  
  
• 5. Spatial planning, policy & guidance
  We work on the tourism, recreation and leisure aspects of spatial plans. In essence spatial plans set out a framework which helps to guide future development. Understanding how to prioritise resources and maximise organisational and operational efficiency form key elements of the spatial plan process.
  
  
• 6. Operational advice
  With hands-on experience of directly managing visitor attractions, other leisure businesses and our sister company’s operational management team we are well positioned to offer operational advice to clients. Operation advice, for example, includes carrying out bench marking exercises, identifying cost saving opportunities and helping to recruit key staff members.
  
  
• 7. Marketing advice
  We provide a retained marketing service to three major leisure businesses – Conkers, a £16 million attraction in the National Forest, the National Brewery Centre and a Harry Ramsden’s restaurant in Brighton. We can help to prepare a marketing strategy for visitor attraction advising on the appropriate and cost effective channels to market from traditional print media through to online initiatives.
  
  
• 8. Evaluation plans
  We prepare evaluation plans for tourism projects which set out a framework to assess and monitor the progress and achievements of the project. Evaluation plans are essential to help identify ways to improve project performance, achieve best value for money, improve the decision making process and build upon on lessons learnt.
  
  
• 9. Audience Development Plans
  Audience Development Plans help to identify current and missed audiences – that is the visitors who you are engaging with and people who you are not engaging with. Economic, cultural, social and intellectual barriers to participation are identified and a costed action plan sets out a strategy to overcome these barriers. Audience Development Plans are based upon carrying out detailed research to identify the existing and missed audiences.
  
  
• Agency – site finding and acquisition
  We can help to identify and assess potential sites for specific leisure and tourism uses, ranging from holiday villages through to themed restaurants. Part of our work often involves a research module to identify and recommend key selection criteria, leading to the development of a scoring model to assist with sifting site opportunities. We also advise on the initial negotiations in respect of the acquisition of the site.
  
  
• Community engagement
  Community engagement, stakeholder workshops, consultation and user research are becoming an increasingly important part of our work.
  
  If you would like to find out more about our experience in this area please click on the link below Stakeholder Consultation
  
  
• Funding applications
  A number of our projects require some form of grant funding and our work provides important baseline information, market evidence and a robust business case which can be used for external funding purposes.
  
  
• SWOT Analysis
  Planning Solutions Consulting have recently launched a new service SWOT Analysis (www.swotanalysis.cc)
  
  
• Visitor flows and capacity
  Understanding visitor flows and capacity is essential in help to develop new attractions but also in terms of introducing new products and services to increase dwell time, secondary spend and repeat visits. We have developed tracking studies to identify visitor flows and map the visitor journey.