To help Sainsbury’s win over a skeptical and some cases a hostile local community towards its plans to extend its store in Forest Hill.

Who did we need to speak to?
• Local residents
• Local councillors
• Mayor of Lewisham
• Local businesses
• Local media and online communities

What was the story?
• Forest Hill town centre was dying, in need of investment
• Sainsbury’s will kick start the area’s regeneration with an investment of over £20m extending its store
• Sainsbury’s wants to engage and consult the local community over its plans

How was it told?
Through developing an on-going dialogue with local stakeholders:
• A series of public exhibitions
• Briefings with local councillors and community leaders
• Identifying and using third party endorsers to champion the project locally

Result: The plans for the rebuilt and extended store were unanimously approved by the Lewisham Planning Committee.