Covid-19 impact on Lancaster society and economy 'likely to be profound'

The leader of a Lancaster organisation set up to secure a brighter future for the city says the societal and economic impacts of Covid-19 are 'likely to be profound'.
Lancaster Castle. Photo by Tom Morbey.Lancaster Castle. Photo by Tom Morbey.
Lancaster Castle. Photo by Tom Morbey.

James Wilkie, chairman of Lancaster Vision, said the group's aim of helping secure a better future for the city remains highly relevant, but may have to adapt to reflect the 'new normal'.

"We believe that the societal and economic impacts of the pandemic are likely to be profound," he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The future we had envisaged is likely to be changed in ways that we cannot yet fully comprehend.

Lancaster.Lancaster.
Lancaster.

"As we move towards this 'new normal' we take the view that Lancaster Vision, with its aim of helping secure a better future for the city remains highly relevant, but may need to adapt to reflect changing circumstances.

"In the months and years to come the whole country will be focusing on recovery. A very significant challenge for public sector agencies is whether they will have the capacity to respond to the demands of helping local communities and economies recover.

"We believe that Lancaster Vision is uniquely placed to provide significant support to this process. We have a broad and highly skilled membership who have the capacity to support and assist the city council, and other appropriate agencies and organisations, to secure a new and better future for our city and its residents.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It is too early to predict accurately specific actions but we are now engaged with the city council and others to explore how best we might support their plans."

Lancaster Vision chair James Wilkie.Lancaster Vision chair James Wilkie.
Lancaster Vision chair James Wilkie.

Lancaster Vision was established in 2012 as a sub group of Lancaster Civic Society by members who had identified, as a result of concerns over the future of the castle, the need for an organisation to help secure a better future for the city and its surrounding.

Between 2012 and 2020 Lancaster Vision became actively involved in working with other local stakeholders to help improve the fortunes of the city, publishing discussion papers on local issues and organising a number of major seminars on topics such as education and employment, housing, and transport.

Engaging with Lancaster City Council and becoming a part of the Lancaster Growth Forum, they were able to focus on helping to support the local authority and others to deliver a number of emerging key strategic projects, including Eden North, the Canal Quarter, Bailrigg Garden Village, the Health Innovation Campus and Digital Lancaster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the arrival of the pandemic forced Lancaster Vision to reappraise its role and operational model.

"It was no longer possible for us to hold our regular monthly meetings and it became clear that there was a pressing need for Lancaster Vision to radically improve our website and social media presence," Mr Wilkie said. "After a short hiatus we began to hold meetings by Zoom.

"Initially there were some who doubted that we could carry on our work in this manner. It soon became apparent that rather than limiting our effectiveness, being forced to migrate to virtual meetings has considerably enhanced our efficiency and potential.

"We have been able to secure meetings with senior officers, elected members, and MPs that we would have struggled to convene on a face to face basis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Just as many employers have realised that home working is here to stay, we believe that virtual meetings will continue to be our medium of choice even, when hopefully, the pandemic has passed."

Mr Wilkie said the group's new social media profile has also been enormously successful in enhancing awareness of Lancaster Vision and attracting new members.