Cheshire West and Chester Council wanted to create a cultural destination that would bring people back into the city centre and change how public space was used. The big question was “How do you turn a redundant cinema into a destination that people actually use, value, and return to?”

Most bidders talked about construction. The risk was that Kier’s bid would sound like everyone else’s.

The council needed confidence that the successful bidder understood not just how to deliver the project, but how it would transform the role of public space within the city centre.

Safe. Competent. Forgettable.

Vision TDM worked closely with Kier’s bid and preconstruction teams to change the trajectory of the submission. Rather than talking about construction, we reframed the scheme as a new model for civic space. A place where theatre, library and community life would coexist in a way that increased footfall, extended dwell time and made public services more accessible.

That one decision made the difference. Instead of focusing on what would be built, we repositioned the entire submission around what would change.

The integration of the library was not presented as a design feature. It became the defining idea behind the whole project. A bold, credible answer to how public services could evolve.

That single shift gave evaluators a clear reason to see the project differently. It moved the bid from compliant to compelling.

We then ensured the entire submission aligned to that narrative. Digital review tools were also used to strengthen consistency across technical and qualitative responses, helping maintain a clear regeneration narrative throughout the bid. Technical responses, delivery strategy, risk management and city centre logistics were structured and written to reinforce both vision and delivery confidence, giving the client confidence in both ambition and control.

Kier didn’t just win. They were selected as the partner who best understood what the project needed to become.

Today, Storyhouse stands as one of the UK’s most recognised cultural regeneration projects. A high footfall destination that has redefined how cultural and community services can work together within a modern city centre.