Helping Huntingdonshire think local

Client: Huntingdonshire District Council | Public Sector

Campaigns, Engagement, Local government, Strategy

The challenge

As businesses reopened after the first Covid lockdown, Huntingdonshire District Council needed to rebuild residents’ confidence in their local high streets.

With businesses under pressure, guidance changing and its communications team at full capacity, the council asked Keystone to develop clear, reassuring campaigns encouraging local support.

Our approach

We shaped and delivered two connected campaigns: Reopening Huntingdonshire, welcoming residents back to the district’s market towns, and Think Local, highlighting the difference shopping locally could make.

We quickly developed a strategy and rollout plan, with clear messaging and distinctive graphics across print and digital channels. Posters, banners, window stickers, advertising and social content encouraged residents to support local businesses.

Weekly briefings with more than 20 community partners helped coordinate campaign messages, while a bespoke media partnership and social media advertising extended the activity.

Think Local built on this groundwork in the run-up to Christmas 2020. When another lockdown arrived in November, we adapted the messaging to reflect changing circumstances.

Impact

The campaigns helped the council support its town centres during significant disruption, while establishing stronger stakeholder and media relationships.

Combining strategic direction with responsive delivery, we addressed an immediate communications challenge and helped develop more proactive ways for the council to engage its communities in future.