Morecambe Business Improvement District (BID) , with large thanks to United Utilities and other partners, have installed five Audionetic Playnetic devices on the Morecambe Promenade. The AudioNetic is a wildly usable piece of playground equipment. The interactive and fun experience starts by pumping the foot pedal a few times. Once it’s charged with Human Powered Energy, an audio education story track will start playing.
In a proactive move at the start of 2023, Morecambe BID engaged in constructive discussions with United Utilities (UU) to address the water outages experienced by local businesses during their peak season in December 2022. United Utilities committed to supporting a community through a donation to a local project. This agreement underscores the value of collaboration and shared commitment to the well-being of the Morecambe community.
Innovative projects
In a collaborative effort to enhance the Morecambe promenade, Morecambe BID put forward several innovative projects, with the Audionetics proposal emerging as the chosen initiative. This exciting project will see the installation of five unique auditory experiences at key locations along the promenade, each designed to celebrate and illuminate the rich cultural and natural heritage of Morecambe. The selected themes include the Time and Tide Bell, the iconic Eric Morecambe statue, the breathtaking Mountainscape Panorama, the heroic RNLI station at Green Street, and the captivating Birds of the Bay at the Yacht Club. This initiative promises to enrich the visitor experience and deepen the connection between the community and its beautiful surroundings.
Self powered
Pumping the pedal will create enough energy to play the message embedded in each Audionetic device. Each message has been professionally recorded by Lancashire actor Julia Haworth, who had a leading role in the North West soap opera Coronation Street. The interpretation boards besides each device gives a brief description of the information imparted and, by scanning a QR code on each board, the user will be directed to a specific page on the Morecambe BID website explaining more.
Ruth Wilkinson, Chair of Morecambe BID and owner of the Consult Centre in Morecambe, commented: “We are excited to bring this project to Morecambe, it is yet another reason for visitors to spend time with us here in Morecambe. A reason too, for local families to enjoy a walk along the prom, and perhaps find out some interesting facts about Morecambe. Our thanks go to United Utilities and our partners who have helped us in bringing this exciting new attraction to Morecambe.”
Iain Pilling, Area Engagement lead for Lancashire at United Utilities, added: “When Morecambe BID asked us to be involved in this project, we were happy to help. It’s a fantastic addition to the promenade and we hope visitors enjoy it.
Zak Haworth, Account Manager at Sapphire Utility Solutions, United Utilities civil engineering partner said: “It was a pleasure to work with Morecambe BID and United Utilities installing the fun Playnetics device on Morecambe Promenade and we look forward to working in Morecambe again in the future, especially with the coming Eden project”.
Morecambe BID would like to thank all those who have been involved in getting this project off the ground. They include: – United Utilities, Sapphire Solutions, Alpha Engraving of White Lund, Voiceovers UK of Dolphinholme and Lancaster City Council.
Once final reinstatement of the promenade surface has taken place the AudioNetics will go live next week, the last week of June.
Photo(L-R) James Donnell and Helen Harvey of Morecambe RNL, Ruth Wilkinson Chair of Morecambe BID, Iain Pilling United Utilities Area Engagement Lead – Lancashire, Liam and Adam from Sapphire
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