As part of updating the City Centre Health Check, last carried out in 2005, a city centre perception survey has been undertaken for Wakefield Council by Swift Research Ltd.

The survey, carried out in two stages in late 2006 and the first quarter of 2007, helps in understanding the patterns of use and attitudes to the city centre through interviews with over a thousand district residents, city centre workers and visitors from outside the district. 

The findings of the most recent survey show a relatively high level of satisfaction with the city centre as a place to visit, with over half of all sample groups being either fairly or very satisfied.  Suggested improvements include:-

• Modernisation and refurbishment of the city centre
• A cleaner centre with less litter
• More choice/variety of shops

All sample groups agreed that a safer environment and a greater variety of entertainment would encourage them to visit the city centre more often in the evening.

There were high awareness levels, over 50% among residents, of activities and initiatives such as:-

• Wakefield In Bloom
• Victorian and farmers’ markets
• Wakefield Waterfront development

It is the intention to repeat this survey every three years to assess change in public perception of the city centre and the impact of public realm improvements, major developments and other measures to improve the vitality, viability and accessibility of the city centre.

An Executive Summary of the City Centre Perceptions Study is available here (as a pdf document under downloads) and hard copies are available free from the UCMED offices or email ecodev@wakefield.gov.uk