Lancaster Vision reviews its role in wake of coronavirus pandemic

Chair of Lancaster Vision James Wilkie said the organisation is hopeful it can use its highly skilled membership to support local bodies to secure a new and better future for the city and its residents.

Lancaster Vision was established in 2012 by members of Lancaster Civic Society 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.

Until 2020 the focus of Lancaster Vision was to help support the local authority and others to deliver a number of key strategic projects.

These include the Lancaster Place Board, Eden North, the Canal Quarter, Bailrigg Garden Village, the Health Innovation Campus and Digital Lancaster.

Lancaster Vision will continue to work with and support others to help deliver these and other opportunities.

However, the arrival of the pandemic has led to the need for a reappraisal of the role of Lancaster Vision.

Mr Wilkie said: "We remain committed to helping deliver the above projects and recent statements of continued commitment to Eden North are very encouraging.

"This is very good news as our local visitor economy needs to be well placed to capitalise on the likely downturn in overseas travel.

"We believe that the societal and economic impacts of the pandemic are likely to be profound. The future we had envisaged is likely to be changed in ways that we cannot yet fully comprehend.

"As we move towards this “new normal” we take the view that Lancaster Vision and its aim of helping secure a better future for the city remains highly relevant, but will need to be flexible to reflect changing circumstances.

"In the months and years ahead the whole country will be focusing on recovery. The city council, working in partnership with others, has already established a Community Hub to help support local residents, organisations, and businesses.

"A debate about the future of our city is needed. Lancaster Vision has a broad 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.

"It is too early to predict accurately specific actions but we will seek a dialogue with the city council and others to determine how best we might support their recovery plans.

"If you feel that your skills and experiences can benefit Lancaster Vision achieve its perception of what the future may hold for the city of Lancaster, Morecambe and its surrounding area, or if you just want to be aware of what is going on within both the area and the organisation why not get in touch and we will guarantee you a warm welcome."

Fill in your details online at https://www.lancastervision.com/contact-us/ or email to [email protected]