Client:
CivCo, an outstanding engineering company in Northern Ireland, required strategic communication management following the award of the Maghera Public Realm Regeneration contract.
Objective:
The primary goal was to educate and inform business owners and residents about the project’s objectives and long-term benefits. The communication strategy emphasised how the regeneration would enhance Maghera as an attractive destination to visit, live, work, and shop.
Strategy:
Monthly Newsletters: A monthly newsletter was distributed to ensure that business owners and residents were kept informed at every stage of the project. The newsletter provided updates on progress, upcoming work phases, traffic diversions and key milestones.
Online Newsletters for Wider Audiences: An online version of the newsletter was published on the Mid Ulster Distric Council’s website and shared on its social media. This targeted residents and workers outside the immediate project zone who might still be impacted by traffic diversions and other disruptions.
Communication with Local Council: Regular updates were sent to the local council, providing information on completed work, upcoming phases, and any traffic diversions or closures. This helped ensure that drivers and the public were aware of potential disruptions in advance.
“Meet the Contractors” Event: A community event was organized, inviting business owners, residents, and interested stakeholders to meet the contractors. This allowed attendees to view project plans, understand the phasing of the works, and ask questions directly to the construction team.
Virtual “Meet the Contractor” Sessions:
For those unable to attend the physical event, an online version was made available to ensure all stakeholders had the opportunity to engage with the project team and voice concerns or questions.
Results:
Stakeholder Engagement: CivCo successfully communicated the project’s plans and mitigated concerns about potential disruptions, ensuring smooth traffic flow and minimal disruption to local businesses.
Two-Way Communication: The communication strategy established a two-way forum, enabling CivCo to address concerns in real-time and prevent negative press. This open dialogue built trust and transparency with the community.
Prioritising Local Needs: By placing business owners and residents at the forefront of the communication process, CivCo ensured that both short-term inconveniences and long-term benefits were clearly understood, resulting in higher stakeholder satisfaction.
Consistent Updates: Regular communication and updates helped keep all stakeholders informed and involved, contributing to a smoother project timeline and successful execution of the Maghera Public Realm Regeneration scheme.
