Every place has its own unique rhythm, character, and story. A place brand is like a well-crafted outfit and a smart marketing plan. It’s about the people of a town deciding what makes that place special – its unique identity. Then, they share that story effectively with the world. When done right, this storytelling transforms a place from just a location on a map into an exciting destination!
A strong place brand tells the story of your place –and helps everyone to tell the same story. It provides a consistent visual identity and tone of voice, and it’s something that everyone – residents, visitors, the business community, young and old – can feel proud of and stand behind.
It’s NOT just a logo or a strapline, and the place brand for a place is separate from any type of council or organisation brand. A place brand is about creating emotional connections and memories. Where place brands are most effective, it’s where all of the stakeholders in the town have adopted it and put it at the heart of all strategic decisions about the place.
Have we even got one for Bognor Regis?
Yes. Yes, we have. And you’ll have heard it, read it or seen it in action since 2021.
The Place branding for Bognor Regis was developed between 2017 and 2020, led by Hemmingway Design and involved major consultation with local stakeholders and, most importantly, the community of Bognor Regis. Since 2020, when the findings from the consultations were all brought together, the place branding for Bognor Regis has been evolving under local stakeholder control, stewarded by the Bognor Regis Regeneration Board.
The Bognor Regis Place brand
The Bognor Regis place branding includes a set of three shared values, plus graphics (including a logo), and a colour palette that reflect the unique qualities and identify of Bognor Regis, all drawn from the feedback provided by local residents. Based on hundreds of responses from the local community, the shared values for Bognor Regis were clustered under three headings that really help tell the positive story of the town.
“A beacon for a bold future” focuses on Bognor Regis’s bright future, packed with potential, with a newly rediscovered sense of ambition, bold ideas, embracing a creative digital future, and plenty of homegrown talent.
“Blue Sky Thinking” focuses on Bognor Regis being Britain’s best kept sunny secret with: a great lifestyle, plenty of sunshine, big skies and scenic views, access to the coast AND countryside (as well as a few surprises), being open to new ideas, and celebrating and caring for the brilliant environment we’re lucky enough to live in.
“Ready for fun” focuses on the fun side of Bognor Regis – with so many people in the consultation sharing their childhood memories, and love of the quirky experiences the town has on offer. The story here is of a spirited, characterful, welcoming town – a place you can enjoy; and a place where you can have fun!
If you’ve been into the town centre of Bognor Regis at any time in the past four years, you’ll have seen the logo, colours and shapes from the place brand on banners, window vinyls, giant plant pots, event posters and directional signage in and around the town. And if you’ve read any press releases or seen Bognor Regis featured in magazine – or even looked at a single page of this website, then you’ll have experienced those three positive values being shared.
WHAT’S NEXT?
You’ll be seeing even more evidence of the place branding starting in the Autumn of 2024, as it’s at the heart of the Wayfinding Scheme designs developed with the local community.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
You can find out more about the Wayfinding Scheme by visiting the Bognor Regis Regeneration Board’s website to learn more about who they are, what they do, and how they’re funded: https://www.bognorregisregenerationboard.com/what-we-do
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