Case Study
More Radio, Sussex
In late September 2019, after 17 years radio broadcasting from a 1,700 sq. ft unit in a Worthing shopping centre we were unable to agree terms to renew our lease. We had just 3 months to identify a suitable new home, negotiate a short-term licence (to stay temporarily) in Worthing, agree a long term lease at the new base, identify all the required trades and book them in AND start the conversion process. Upon completion, transfer our operations to our new home.
With a mere 12-week licence to stay in Worthing on offer, this job was going to be extremely challenging given the scale of work required (and that was before we’d heard of the Coronavirus Pandemic). We took keys on the former light industrial unit in Burgess Hill on 2nd January we were obliged to vacate Worthing at the end of March. Just 12 weeks to make this all happen and without a break in transmission! It was going to be an all or nothing effort which the Board fully backed.
I had a vision but not much funding at all…nor time. I was aware of Pat’s design skills from other projects, so I explained my ideas to him. He absorbed what I said as if he could see my vision and made some good suggestions just as we chatted, nothing formal (or chargeable).
I was mightily impressed when I saw the first outline images. We batted them backwards and forwards as things evolved… For example I managed to pick up a used Ikea leather sofa for the reception area and Pat was able to change that visualisation to show the ‘actual’ sofa and colour! Images displayed on Pat’s Cad visualisations featured ‘screen grabs’ of the actual software we use and the make and model of the new mixing consoles we purchased from the United States we included. The manufacturer didn’t have 3D cad drawings of their product (Pat checked with them!) so no problem, Pat created them. Impressive.
As things progressed Pat pointed out potential issues with movement space around desks and suggestions with lighting, which helped me, and I was able to consider the impact and make informed decisions/alterations. My boss even decided that he didn’t like my proposed colour scheme for the first floor walls, so Pat was able to tweak that too!
The final renders of my visualisation were incredible, fantastic detail and resolution quality, right down to shadows on walls and reflections in glass etc. When I presented them to my colleagues on the board, they were genuinely excited at how this move was going to evolve our business.
The board had few doubts that moving to a larger (3,500 sq. ft) building with the latest tools was a good commercial move for the business commercially as it also allowed us to relinquish 4 small offices elsewhere is Sussex (as well as Worthing) and all the associated overheads. But it also meant bringing all our team together for the first time and for some this would mean a substantial increase in commuting time.
A full staff meeting was called (simultaneously at 4 sites) and directors presented on PowerPoint to the whole workforce, who were unaware we were going to move. Getting staff ‘buy in’ was key to the success of the move and Pat’s visualisations, complete with animated video sections achieved this. There was a real buzz from the staff and whilst change isn’t always welcomed, all staff understood it was the right move for our company and a very high buy in was indeed achieved. Mission Accomplished!
I firmly believe, it would have been impossible to create that buzz by showing pictures of an empty rundown light industrial unit with a few architect’s floor plans etc. . Builders, carpenters, decorators used the images to see exactly what the final outcome should look like so everyone had the same vision of the new office and I had time to concentrate on the studio set up.
I have no doubt that without Pat’s skills, the radio station would not have launched almost* on time or have had the full confidence of Board and staff.
Working with Pat on this project was an absolute pleasure, he was so “on it” from his fact finding visit at the outset to the completed visualizations. I have nothing but the highest praise for Pat’s work and wholeheartedly recommend his services for any project plans you are considering.
David Cunningham
Group Operations Director
Total Sense Media Ltd
Sussex Media Centre
Unit 4 Regent Business Centre
Jubilee Road
Burgess Hill
RH15 9TL
*The project was slightly delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions in March when the lockdown started.
Thankfully in the extraordinary circumstances we managed to get an extra 2 weeks at Worthing and the final switch over happened on Easter Sunday, 12th April.
