We aim to offer AI support for small businesses, making Southport a model for AI assistance. The Innovation Centre will create this service, using Copilot to develop a basic Use Case from a simple conversation. This will also showcase how AI Assistants can help to grow and refine ideas.

Can we look at setting up an AI support function within Southport Innovation Centre. The aim is to provide AI support for small businesses within the town and for Southport to be an exemplar. Southport has provided some basic AI training for a limited number of businesses. The support we are looking to develop will be based on models applied by leading edge companies, adapted for a large UK town. The key is to develop practices appropriate for Industry 4, where utilising AI becomes critical. If we consider the use of AI as a capability, for businesses, which must be developed and extended, in line with the rapid growth of AI. AI support must also be treated as a capability for the town and the innovation centre. This will require AI capability across the town to be assessed and monitored to ensure capabilities improve in line with the best towns in the field. The support services offered by the Innovation Centre also need to be monitored to ensure they remain exemplars. It is envisaged that the Innovation Centre will provide training for businesses, an on-line knowledge hub, and a practice environment and experimentation room for businesses to use. If we consider using Microsoft 365 with Copilot as the core of the AI Eco System and management skills being covered. The management skills will be basic traditional management skills, extended with more modern skills appropriate to an age of AI. Planning skills will be extended to include Strategy that focuses on SWAT analysis, capability analysis, designing for agility, and the use of Agile methods. There will also be more information on security and ethical AI. A key focus will be on the skills needed within a fast moving environment. Can you provide more information on this scenario

Absolutely, David. This vision positions Southport as a national exemplar for AI-enabled small business transformation—a living model of how a town can build AI capability as a shared civic asset. Let’s break it down into a structured, actionable framework:

🏛️ Southport AI Support Function: Strategic Blueprint

🎯 Vision

To establish Southport as a model AI-enabled town, where small businesses thrive through accessible, ethical, and practical AI support—anchored by the Southport Innovation Centre.

1. 🧱 Core Pillars of the AI Support Function

Pillar	Description
AI as a Capability	Treat AI like digital literacy: a skill to be developed across businesses, sectors, and the town itself
Microsoft 365 + Copilot Ecosystem	Use familiar tools to embed AI into daily workflows (e.g., summarising emails, drafting proposals, analysing spreadsheets)
Training & Skills	Blend traditional management with AI-era skills: agility, ethical design, capability mapping, and strategic foresight
Practice & Experimentation	Provide a safe space for businesses to test AI tools, workflows, and use cases
Monitoring & Benchmarking	Track AI maturity across businesses and the town to ensure continuous improvement and exemplar status

2. 🧠 Services Offered by the Innovation Centre

Service	Function
AI Training Pathways	Tiered learning: from AI awareness to applied use in marketing, operations, and planning
Online Knowledge Hub	Curated resources, case studies, toolkits, and ethical AI guidance
Experimentation Room	Hands-on access to Copilot, GPT tools, image generators, and data visualisation platforms
Capability Assessments	Self-assessment tools and advisory sessions to benchmark AI readiness
Peer Learning Circles	Monthly meetups for businesses to share experiments, wins, and lessons learned

3. 🧭 Capability Framework for Businesses

Capability Area	Traditional Skill	AI-Enhanced Extension
Planning	SWOT, budgeting	Capability mapping, agile strategy, scenario planning
Operations	Process mapping	AI automation, Copilot workflows, prompt engineering
Marketing	Campaign design	AI-generated content, customer segmentation, A/B testing
Security & Ethics	Data protection	Responsible AI use, bias mitigation, transparency
Leadership	Team management	Leading in uncertainty, AI fluency, change readiness

4. 📊 Monitoring & Benchmarking

Town-wide AI Capability Index: Track adoption, confidence, and impact across sectors
Innovation Centre Performance Dashboard: Measure reach, satisfaction, and exemplar status
Annual “AI in Southport” Report: Celebrate progress, share insights, and attract investment

5. 🌍 Inspiration from Leading Models

Industry 4.0 Best Practices: AI-native business models, digital twins, and data-driven agility
UK AI Adoption Challenges: Address cost, skills, and ROI concerns head-on
Pro-Innovation Regulation: Align with UK’s flexible, sector-led AI governance approach

🛠️ Next Steps

Co-design a Capability Maturity Model for Southport businesses
Develop a modular training curriculum (Copilot + AI strategy + ethics)
Launch a pilot cohort of 10–15 businesses with baseline assessments
Build the online knowledge hub with curated content and local case studies
Secure partnerships with Microsoft, local colleges, and innovation networks

Would you like help drafting a capability maturity model, outlining the training modules, or designing the dashboard for town-wide AI benchmarking? I can also help shape the narrative for funders, councils, or national press.

Let us investigate the online knowledge hub. Let us consider three groups: businesses experimenting with AI support services and Innovation centre staff working in the Innovation centre with access to Windows 365, Copilot extensions and Knowledge data stored on OneDrive; Businesses with access to Windows 365 and Copilot extensions; Businesses with basic Copilot on-line access. What services are available ti each group and what licensing is required, plus costs.

Here’s a structured breakdown of how the Southport Innovation Centre’s online knowledge hub could serve three distinct groups—each with different levels of access to Microsoft 365, Copilot, and cloud services. This includes the services available, licensing requirements, and estimated UK costs as of 2025.

🧠 Online Knowledge Hub: Tiered Access Model

👥 Group 1: Innovation Centre Staff & Experimental Businesses

Access Level: Full access to Windows 365, Copilot extensions, OneDrive, Teams, and internal knowledge graph

Feature	Description
✅ Full Copilot integration	Embedded in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams
📂 OneDrive Knowledge Graph	Semantic search across stored documents, training materials, and datasets
🧪 Experimentation Tools	Access to Copilot Studio, prompt engineering sandbox, and AI workflow templates
📊 Dashboard & Analytics	Usage tracking, capability benchmarking, and feedback loops
🎓 Advanced Training Modules	Strategy, agile planning, ethical AI, and security practices

Licensing Required:

Microsoft 365 Business Premium (~£18.10/month)
Copilot for Microsoft 365 Add-on (~£25/month)
Windows 365 Business (~£28–£50/month depending on configuration)

Estimated Annual Cost per User: ~£850–£1,000

👥 Group 2: Businesses with Windows 365 + Copilot Extensions

Access Level: Strong integration with Microsoft 365 apps and cloud desktop, but limited internal data access

Feature	Description
✅ Copilot in Office Apps	Drafting, summarising, analysing across documents and emails
📁 OneDrive Integration	Access to shared resources and training content
🧠 Guided Workflows	Templates for marketing, planning, and operations
📚 Modular Training	Core AI skills, agile methods, and ethical guidance

Licensing Required:

Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Premium (~£10.30–£18.10/month)
Copilot for Microsoft 365 Add-on (~£25/month)
Windows 365 Business (~£28–£50/month)

Estimated Annual Cost per User: ~£700–£950

👥 Group 3: Businesses with Basic Copilot Online Access

Access Level: Limited to web-based Copilot features (e.g., Bing, Edge, Outlook.com)

Feature	Description
🧠 Copilot Chat	Web-based AI assistant for drafting, summarising, and answering questions
📄 Basic Templates	Downloadable guides and toolkits from the hub
📚 Introductory Training	AI awareness, prompt basics, ethical principles
📬 Email Summarisation	If using Outlook.com with Copilot Pro

Licensing Required:

Microsoft 365 Personal (~£8.75/month or £104.99/year)
Copilot Pro Add-on (~£20/month or £240/year)

Estimated Annual Cost per User: ~£345

🧭 Strategic Implications

Tiered Access allows businesses to scale their AI capability gradually
Innovation Centre acts as a capability accelerator, offering deeper tools and support
Knowledge Hub becomes a civic asset, blending public service with private innovation

Would you like help designing the onboarding flow for each group, or mapping how the hub could evolve into a regional AI exemplar? I can also help sketch a dashboard for tracking usage, impact, and capability growth across the town.

what is the difference between Microsoft 365 Business and Windows 365 Business

Great question, David. These two offerings sound similar but serve very different purposes. Here’s a clear breakdown:

🧠 Microsoft 365 Business vs. Windows 365 Business

Feature	Microsoft 365 Business	Windows 365 Business
Purpose	Productivity suite	Cloud-based PC (virtual desktop)
Includes	Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint	A full Windows 10/11 desktop in the cloud
Use Case	Create, collaborate, and manage documents, emails, and meetings	Access a secure, managed Windows environment from any device
AI Integration	Copilot for Microsoft 365 (add-on) enhances Office apps	Can run Copilot and other apps inside the cloud PC
Storage	1 TB OneDrive per user	Configurable cloud storage (based on plan)
Device Dependency	Installed on local device or accessed via browser	Entire desktop runs in the cloud—ideal for remote work or shared devices
Licensing	Per user/month for Office apps	Per user/month for virtual PC (based on RAM, CPU, storage)

🧩 How They Work Together

Microsoft 365 Business gives you the tools.
Windows 365 Business gives you the environment to run those tools—anywhere, securely.

Example: A small business could use Microsoft 365 for collaboration and Copilot-powered productivity, while Windows 365 provides a secure desktop for staff working remotely or on shared devices.

Would you like help choosing the best configuration for different business tiers in Southport’s AI support model? I can also help map out licensing costs and use cases for each.

So for simple business use to follow best practice Windows 365 would be fine; for more advanced use e.g. accessing Copilot from with Word, Copilot extensions would be needed; for secure Thin Client, Cloud services, Windows 365 would be required

Exactly, David—that’s a clear and practical way to frame it. Here’s a concise summary of how these components fit together within Southport’s AI ecosystem for small businesses:

🧩 AI Ecosystem Access Levels for Businesses

Use Case	Windows 365	Microsoft 365	Copilot Add-on	Thin Client Device
Basic AI access (web Copilot, email summaries)	❌	✅	Optional	❌
Best practice workflows (Word, Excel, Teams)	❌	✅	✅	❌
Secure cloud desktop (shared or remote)	✅	✅	Optional	✅
Advanced AI support (Copilot inside apps)	✅	✅	✅	✅
Training & experimentation at Innovation Centre	✅	✅	✅	✅

🧠 Key Takeaways

Windows 365 provides a secure, cloud-based desktop—ideal for shared use, remote access, and Thin Client setups.
Microsoft 365 gives access to productivity apps and OneDrive, forming the backbone of daily business operations.
Copilot Add-on unlocks AI-powered features inside Word, Excel, Outlook, and more—essential for advanced use.
Thin Client devices are cost-effective endpoints that access Windows 365 securely, perfect for training rooms and experimentation labs.

Would you like help drafting a visual guide or onboarding matrix for Southport businesses—showing which setup is right for their needs? I can also help design a rollout plan for the Innovation Centre’s experimentation room.

If we wanted to take a cut down Agile approach, possibly using a Kanban Board, what software is simple to use and cheap.

Here’s a shortlist of simple and affordable Kanban board tools ideal for small businesses in Southport looking to adopt a lightweight Agile approach:

🧩 Top Kanban Tools for Small Businesses (UK, 2025)

Tool	Monthly Cost	Key Features	Best For
Trello	£5/user	Drag-and-drop boards, checklists, automation	Beginners, visual teams
Asana	£10.99/user	Kanban + list views, task dependencies	Teams needing more structure
Smartsheet	£9/user	Spreadsheet-style Kanban, reporting tools	Businesses familiar with Excel
Kanbanchi	£7–£10/user	Google Workspace integration, time tracking	Teams using Gmail/Google Drive
monday.com	£8/user	Customisable workflows, templates	Agile teams scaling up
Goalscape	£6–£10/user	Visual goal tracking, Kanban hybrid	Strategic planning and goal setting

Sources: SoftwareWorld, SourceForge UK

✅ What to Look For

Ease of use: Drag-and-drop simplicity
Collaboration: Comments, file sharing, notifications
Mobile access: For on-the-go updates
Integration: With Microsoft 365, OneDrive, or Teams if possible

🧠 Suggested Setup for Southport Innovation Centre

Use Trello or Kanbanchi for experimentation and training
Create shared boards for business cohorts (e.g., “AI Adoption Sprint”)
Include columns like: Backlog, In Progress, Testing, Done, Reflections
Add Copilot prompts to each card for AI-enhanced planning or writing

Would you like help designing a sample board layout or onboarding guide for businesses new to Agile? I can also help map how this fits into your AI support ecosystem.

Can you explain how this fits into our AI ecosystem

Absolutely, David. Integrating a cut-down Agile approach using Kanban boards fits beautifully into Southport’s AI ecosystem—especially as a practical, scalable method for small businesses to build AI capability in real time. Here’s how it all connects:

🧩 Kanban Boards in the Southport AI Ecosystem

🎯 Purpose

To give businesses a simple, visual, and adaptive tool for managing AI adoption, experimentation, and capability growth—without overwhelming them with complex frameworks.

1. 🧠 AI Capability as a Journey

Kanban boards help businesses:

Track AI experiments (e.g., “Try Copilot for email summarisation”)
Visualise progress (Backlog → In Progress → Done → Reflections)
Capture learning (e.g., “Prompt worked well for customer segmentation”)
Build habits (e.g., weekly AI use, monthly reviews)

This turns AI adoption into a living process, not a one-time event.

2. 🛠️ Integration with Microsoft 365 + Copilot

Boards can be embedded in Teams or OneNote
Copilot can help summarise board activity, generate tasks, or suggest next steps
Businesses using Windows 365 can access boards securely from any device
Innovation Centre staff can monitor usage, offer nudges, and share templates

Example: A Trello board titled “AI for Marketing” with cards like:

“Use Copilot to draft a newsletter”

“Analyse customer feedback with sentiment prompts”

“Test image generation for product ads”

3. 🧪 Practice Environment & Experimentation Room

Boards guide businesses through structured experiments
Staff can co-design mini-sprints (e.g., “AI for Planning Week”)
Results feed into the Knowledge Hub, building shared intelligence

4. 📊 Monitoring & Benchmarking

Boards provide real-time insight into capability development
Innovation Centre can track:
- Number of AI experiments completed
- Common blockers or successes
- Skill growth over time

This supports your goal of town-wide capability tracking and ensures services remain exemplar.

5. 🧠 Skills Development

Kanban boards reinforce:

Agile planning: visual workflows, iterative learning
AI fluency: prompt design, tool selection, ethical reflection
Management extension: from traditional task tracking to AI-enhanced strategy

🧭 Summary: Why It Works

Benefit	Impact
Simplicity	Easy for any business to start using
Scalability	Works for solo entrepreneurs or multi-team setups
AI Integration	Copilot enhances board use with automation and insight
Community Learning	Boards become shared assets across Southport

Would you like help designing a starter board template for businesses—perhaps one focused on AI adoption, marketing, or planning? I can also help map how board data feeds into your Knowledge Hub and capability dashboard.

Can you think of improvements that could be implemented easily. Please provide any additional costs.

Absolutely, David. Here are 7 practical, low-friction improvements that could elevate the Southport AI ecosystem—especially for small businesses—without requiring major infrastructure changes. I’ve included estimated costs where applicable:

✅ 1. Pre-Built Kanban Templates for AI Use Cases

What: Create Trello or Microsoft Planner templates for common AI tasks (e.g., “AI for Marketing”, “AI for Planning”, “AI for Customer Service”)
Why: Reduces friction for businesses starting out
Cost: Free (Trello Basic or Microsoft Planner included in M365)

✅ 2. AI Prompt Library in the Knowledge Hub

What: Curate a searchable library of effective Copilot prompts by task, sector, or role
Why: Helps businesses get value from Copilot faster
Cost: Free (hosted in SharePoint or OneDrive); optional design support ~£200–£500 for branding

✅ 3. Monthly “AI in Practice” Drop-In Sessions

What: 1-hour online or in-person sessions where businesses share how they’re using AI
Why: Builds community, surfaces real-world use cases
Cost: Staff time + refreshments (~£50–£100/session)

✅ 4. AI Capability Self-Assessment Tool

What: A simple online quiz or form that helps businesses benchmark their AI maturity
Why: Encourages reflection and tracks town-wide progress
Cost: Free with Microsoft Forms or Typeform; optional dashboard integration ~£300–£800

✅ 5. Copilot Quick Start Cards

What: Printable or digital “cheat sheets” for using Copilot in Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Why: Reduces onboarding time and builds confidence
Cost: Free to create; optional design/print ~£100–£300

✅ 6. Shared Windows 365 Desktops for Experimentation

What: A few shared cloud PCs for businesses to test Copilot and AI tools
Why: Removes cost barrier for early experimentation
Cost: ~£28–£50/month per virtual desktop

✅ 7. AI Use Case Gallery

What: A visual wall (physical or digital) showcasing how local businesses are using AI
Why: Inspires others and builds momentum
Cost: Free (digital) or ~£200–£400 (physical display)

🧭 Bonus: Strategic Add-On

AI Concierge Bot for the Knowledge Hub

Acts as a guide to help users find resources, suggest prompts, or answer FAQs
Built with Power Virtual Agents or Copilot Studio
Cost: Included in Business Premium + Copilot; setup support ~£500–£1,000

Would you like help drafting one of these—perhaps the AI prompt library structure or a sample self-assessment tool? I can also help design a rollout plan that aligns with your campaign messaging and stakeholder engagement.

Copilot Studio is Microsoft’s low-code platform for building, customizing, and deploying your own AI-powered agents—designed to extend the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot across Teams, web, mobile, and even WhatsApp. It’s a powerful tool for organizations like the Southport Innovation Centre to create tailored AI experiences for staff, businesses, and community users.

🧠 What You Can Do with Copilot Studio

✅ Build Custom AI Agents

Create task-specific copilots (e.g., “AI Planning Assistant”, “Ethical AI Advisor”)
Use natural language prompts to define agent behavior
Connect to internal data sources (OneDrive, SharePoint, Dataverse)

✅ Deploy Across Channels

Embed agents in Microsoft Teams, websites, mobile apps, and messaging platforms
Ideal for training bots, knowledge assistants, or AI concierge services

✅ Extend Microsoft 365 Copilot

Build plugins that enhance Copilot’s functionality
Example: A plugin that pulls insights from Southport’s AI capability dashboard or training records

✅ Automate Workflows

Integrate with Power Automate to trigger actions based on user input
Example: “If a business completes an AI training module, send them a follow-up checklist”

💷 UK Pricing (2025)

Plan	Cost	Includes
Copilot Studio (Standard)	£153.80/year	25,000 messages/month, agent builder, plugin support
Pay-as-you-go	Variable	Based on message volume and usage
Add-ons	Optional	Extra message packs, advanced analytics, premium connectors

Pricing excludes VAT. Source: Microsoft UK, MSAdvance Licensing Guide

🧩 Use Cases for Southport Innovation Centre

AI Concierge Bot: Guides users through the Knowledge Hub, answers FAQs, and suggests training modules
Capability Coach: Helps businesses assess and improve their AI maturity
Ethical AI Advisor: Offers guidance on responsible AI use, tailored to local sectors
Training Assistant: Tracks progress, recommends next steps, and celebrates milestones

Would you like help designing a Copilot Studio agent for Southport—perhaps one that supports onboarding or capability assessment? I can also help sketch a flowchart or prompt structure for your first agent.

Let’s design a Copilot Studio Agent for capability assessment

Brilliant—this is a perfect fit for Southport’s AI ecosystem. Let’s design a Copilot Studio Agent called “Capability Coach” that helps businesses assess and grow their AI readiness. It will act as a conversational guide, embedded in the Knowledge Hub, Teams, or even WhatsApp, offering tailored insights and nudges.

🤖 Copilot Studio Agent: Capability Coach

🎯 Purpose

To help small businesses in Southport:

Assess their current AI capability
Identify gaps and opportunities
Recommend next steps, training, and tools
Track progress over time

🧩 Agent Design Overview

Element	Description
Name	Capability Coach
Persona	Friendly, insightful, non-technical guide with a growth mindset
Channels	Microsoft Teams, Web (Knowledge Hub), WhatsApp (optional)
Trigger Phrase	“Help me assess my AI readiness” or “Start capability check”
Core Functions	Self-assessment, capability scoring, tailored recommendations, progress tracking

🧠 Conversation Flow (Simplified)

Welcome & Context
- “Hi! I’m your Capability Coach. Let’s explore how ready your business is to use AI effectively.”
Quick Self-Assessment
- 5–7 questions across key domains:
  - Planning & Strategy
  - Tools & Infrastructure
  - Skills & Training
  - Use Cases & Experiments
  - Ethics & Governance
Scoring & Feedback
- “You’re currently at Level 2: Experimenter. Great start! Here’s what you can do next…”
Tailored Recommendations
- Suggests:
  - Training modules from the Knowledge Hub
  - Templates (e.g., Kanban boards, prompt libraries)
  - Peer learning sessions or drop-ins
  - Copilot use cases to try
Progress Tracking
- “Want to set a reminder to check back in 30 days?”
- Option to store results (via Dataverse or SharePoint)

🔌 Integrations

System	Purpose
Microsoft Forms or Power Pages	For structured self-assessment
Dataverse or SharePoint	Store assessment results and track progress
Power Automate	Trigger follow-ups, reminders, or training invites
Copilot Studio	Build and manage the conversational agent
Microsoft 365 Copilot	Extend recommendations into Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.

💷 Estimated Cost (UK 2025)

Item	Cost
Copilot Studio License	~£153.80/year per tenant
Power Platform (Dataverse, Automate)	Included in Business Premium or available as add-ons
Setup & Customisation	~£500–£1,000 (if outsourced or co-developed with partners)

Would you like to co-design the assessment questions, capability levels (e.g., Explorer → Experimenter → Integrator → Exemplar), or the recommendation engine logic? I can also help sketch a sample conversation or build a flowchart for the agent’s logic.

Can you provide an executive Summary focusing on the provision of an AI support service for small businesses in Southport. This service will be an exemplar for AI support that will facilitate Southport becoming a model AI enabled town.

Certainly, David. Here’s a focused Executive Summary highlighting the strategic provision of an AI support service for small businesses in Southport, designed to establish the town as a national exemplar in AI adoption and capability development:

🧭 Executive Summary: AI Support Service for Small Businesses in Southport

🎯 Strategic Aim

To establish a town-wide AI support service—anchored by the Southport Innovation Centre—that empowers small businesses to adopt, experiment with, and scale AI capabilities. This initiative will position Southport as a model AI-enabled town, demonstrating how local ecosystems can lead national transformation.

🧱 Core Objectives

Enable AI Capability Development: Treat AI as a strategic skill for businesses and the town, with structured support for growth.
Deliver Tiered Support Services: Offer scalable access to AI tools, training, and experimentation environments tailored to business needs.
Foster Inclusive Innovation: Ensure all businesses—regardless of size or sector—can participate in the AI transformation.
Benchmark and Monitor Progress: Track AI maturity across the town to ensure continuous improvement and exemplar status.

🛠️ Service Components

1. AI Training & Skills Development

Modular training pathways: from AI awareness to applied use
Integration of traditional management with AI-era skills (agility, ethics, strategy)
Focus on planning, security, and ethical AI in fast-moving environments

2. Online Knowledge Hub

Centralized access to guides, prompt libraries, templates, and case studies
Tiered access for different user groups (basic, advanced, innovation centre staff)
Embedded Copilot support for document analysis, summarisation, and drafting

3. Practice & Experimentation Environment

Shared Windows 365 desktops for secure, cloud-based AI trials
Thin Client devices for low-cost access
Kanban boards and agile workflows for managing AI experiments

4. Capability Assessment & Monitoring

Copilot Studio agent (Capability Coach) for self-assessment and progress tracking
Town-wide AI Capability Index and Innovation Centre performance dashboard
Annual “AI in Southport” report to showcase impact and attract investment

💷 Licensing & Infrastructure

Tier	Services	Estimated Annual Cost
Basic Access	Web Copilot, Outlook.com, Knowledge Hub	~£345/user
Advanced Access	Microsoft 365 + Copilot + OneDrive	~£517/user
Innovation Centre Tier	Windows 365 + Copilot + shared tools	~£850–£1,000/user

🌍 Strategic Impact

Southport becomes a living model for AI-enabled local economies
Small businesses gain competitive advantage through accessible AI tools
Innovation Centre leads national dialogue on inclusive, ethical AI adoption
Framework is scalable to other towns and regions across the UK

Would you like this formatted into a stakeholder briefing or visual campaign asset? I can also help design a rollout roadmap or capability maturity model to accompany it.

Southport AI and IKB Exemplar

Southport Exemplar Vision: SMEs, VCSEs, AI, and Innovation

1. Purpose

To demonstrate how AI, an Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB), and collaborative governance can rejuvenate SMEs and VCSEs, positioning Southport as a national exemplar town for inclusive, AI-enabled regeneration.

2. Challenges Facing SMEs and VCSEs

Limited resources compared to large corporations.
Fragmented access to knowledge, training, and digital tools.
Vulnerability to retail decline, tourism shifts, and economic disruption.
Difficulty retaining skills and institutional knowledge.

3. How AI + IKB Can Help

Shared Intelligence & Best Practice: SMEs and VCSEs gain access to pooled knowledge, templates, and case studies.
AI-Driven Local Insights: Visitor flows, spending patterns, and seasonal trends analysed to guide business decisions.
Collaborative Resilience: Shops, cafés, charities, and creative groups co-develop campaigns and avoid duplication.
Digital Transformation at Scale: Shared AI services (analytics, marketing automation, volunteer coordination) reduce costs and barriers.

4. Southport Opportunities

Reimagining the High Street: Curated “Southport Experiences” combining independent shops, food, and cultural events.
Tourism Revitalisation: AI forecasts visitor flows and personalizes offers (family packages, eco-tourism, heritage trails).
Community-Led Innovation: VCSEs collaborate on digital heritage archives, festivals, and skills hubs.
AI-Powered Local Marketing: Coordinated campaigns highlight Southport’s uniqueness — Victorian architecture, seaside heritage, cultural events.

5. Role of the Southport Innovation Centre

Knowledge Repository: Documents governance, AI, and innovation conversations for shared learning.
Practical Laboratory: Provides a safe space to test AI tools and collaborative practices before scaling.
Community Anchor: Focal point for collaboration among businesses, charities, educators, and citizens.
Exemplar Enabler: Ensures Southport’s exemplar status is credible by demonstrating real-world application.

6. AI Training Integration

Current AI training for local businesses should be captured and embedded into the IKB, ensuring:
- Shared learning across SMEs, VCSEs, and community groups.
- Knowledge retention and continuity.
- Scalable impact beyond Southport.
- Strengthened exemplar status through documented, transferable resources.

7. Benefits of Exemplar Status

Economic Renewal: Attracts investment, grants, and partnerships.
Reputation & Visibility: Gains recognition as a living lab for AI-enabled regeneration.
Talent Attraction: Draws young professionals, creatives, and technologists.
Community Empowerment: VCSEs deliver more impactful programmes with shared tools.
Scalable Lessons: Southport becomes a source of national learning for coastal and regional regeneration.

Strategic Takeaway

By embedding AI, an Intelligent Knowledge Base, collaborative governance, and the Southport Innovation Centre, Southport can:

Rebuild its identity around shared experiences and innovation.
Empower SMEs and VCSEs to act like a networked corporation with pooled intelligence.
Position itself as an exemplar town, attracting investment, talent, and recognition.
Provide scalable lessons for national transformation, proving that governance and AI can rejuvenate local economies and communities.

The following discussion document was created directly from the Knowledge Base using standard Microsoft Office 365. It is unedited, so should be treated as an example of auto generated audio from a simple and limited knowledge base.

Southport Exemplar Journey

The question for Southport is, “Can a historic town lead the UK?” The answer is “Yes,” as it draws inspiration from a similar town. The main challenge is not technology or ability, but rather Culture and Belief.

There is an Ethical Charter for Southport Innovation Centre, which includes AI bias and Guardrails, which you can find here

How Southport Can Become an Industry 4 Exemplar

(Based on the Southport 2030 findings + Southport AI & IKB Exemplar + Industry 4 principles)

1. Start With a Clear Purpose: A Town-Level Industry 4 Mission

Both documents emphasise the same core idea:
Southport must embrace the Digital and Knowledge Economy or risk being left behind.

Industry 4 gives Southport a chance to:

Rebuild its high street
Revitalise tourism
Strengthen community organisations
Attract talent and investment
Become a model for other coastal towns

This mission becomes the anchor for everything else.

2. Use the Southport Innovation Centre as the Engine Room

The Innovation Centre is perfectly positioned to become the Industry 4 hub for the town.

It can act as:

Knowledge Repository: capturing all AI training, governance insights, and community learning
Practical Laboratory: testing robotics, IoT, AI tools, digital twins, and smart town concepts
Community Anchor: bringing SMEs, VCSEs, schools, and residents together
Capability Builder: offering code clubs, robotics, digital skills, and AI literacy

This aligns directly with the Southport 2030 findings:

Southport needs a shared, open, collaborative space to build capability and confidence.

3. Build a Town-Wide Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB)

This is the Industry 4 differentiator.

The IKB becomes:

A shared memory for the town
A platform for SMEs and VCSEs to access best practice
A way to retain knowledge even when people move on
A tool for AI-driven insights (tourism, retail, events, community needs)
A foundation for smart town services

This is exactly what Industry 4 requires:
data + intelligence + collaboration + automation.

4. Turn SMEs and VCSEs Into a “Networked Corporation”

Industry 4 is not just about technology — it’s about connected ecosystems.

Southport can:

Share AI tools across businesses
Pool marketing data
Coordinate events and promotions
Use AI to forecast visitor flows
Share digital infrastructure (WiFi, sensors, analytics)
Build cross-sector resilience

This mirrors the Southport 2030 recommendation:

Move from isolated teams to a Smart, collaborative town model.

5. Reimagine the High Street as an Industry 4 Experience Zone

Industry 4 towns don’t compete on retail alone — they compete on experience.

Southport can lead by:

Creating AI-curated “Southport Experiences”
Using AR trails, immersive pop-ups, and digital vouchers
Offering smart parking, smart mobility, and real-time visitor insights
Turning vacant shops into innovation labs, maker spaces, and pop-up digital studios
Integrating The Atkinson as a cultural-tech anchor

This aligns with both documents:

Southport 2030: “A modern high street must integrate digital and physical experiences.”
Southport AI Exemplar: “Curated experiences, AR trails, AI-driven events.”

6. Adopt a Smart Town Strategy (Industry 4 for Places)

Industry 4 is not just for factories — it’s for towns.

Southport can implement:

IoT sensors for footfall, environment, and tourism
AI-driven transport and parking optimisation
Digital twins for planning and resilience
Smart energy and sustainability projects
Community-led innovation challenges

This directly reflects the Southport 2030 Smart Strategy:

Prioritise value to the community, use new methods, collaborate widely, and take a holistic view.

7. Make AI Training a Town-Wide Capability Programme

This is essential.

By embedding AI training into the IKB:

Every business gains access
VCSEs can modernise and scale impact
Young people gain future-ready skills
Older residents stay connected
The town builds a shared digital literacy baseline

This becomes a signature feature of Southport’s exemplar status.

8. Create a Continuous Learning Loop

Industry 4 exemplars don’t just implement — they learn, adapt, and share.

Southport can:

Capture lessons from every project
Feed them into the IKB
Use AI to analyse patterns and opportunities
Share insights with other towns
Build a reputation as a national learning hub

This is exactly what AISDO proposes at national scale — Southport can do it locally.

9. Position Southport as a National Demonstrator

Once the model is running, Southport can:

Host delegations from other towns
Run Industry 4 and AI conferences
Partner with universities and innovation bodies
Publish case studies and open-source frameworks
Attract funding from Innovate UK, DCMS, and regional bodies

Southport becomes: “The UK’s first AI-enabled coastal regeneration town.”

Strategic Takeaway

Southport can become an Industry 4 exemplar by combining:

The Smart Town vision from Southport 2030
The AI + IKB model from the Southport Exemplar document
The Innovation Centre as the engine room
Town-wide collaboration across SMEs, VCSEs, and public services
AI training and knowledge sharing as a universal capability

This creates a living, breathing Industry 4 ecosystem — not theoretical, but practical, inclusive, and scalable.

Southport becomes:

A model for coastal regeneration
A hub for AI-enabled community innovation
A national exemplar for Industry 4 transformation

**Pitch to Liverpool City Region:

Southport as the Region’s Industry 4 Exemplar Town**

A strategic opportunity to accelerate LCR’s innovation, inclusion, and coastal regeneration agenda

1. Opening Positioning Statement

Liverpool City Region has already established itself as a leader in innovation, digital creativity, health tech, and advanced manufacturing. Southport now offers the region a unique opportunity:

To create the UK’s first AI-enabled coastal regeneration town — a living demonstrator of Industry 4 transformation that benefits the entire region.

This is not a request for funding.
It is an invitation to co-create a regional exemplar that strengthens LCR’s strategic goals.

2. Why Southport? Why Now?

Southport sits at the intersection of three regional priorities:

A. Coastal Regeneration

Southport faces the same structural challenges as many UK coastal towns:

Retail decline
Tourism volatility
Skills gaps
Fragmented digital adoption

This makes it the ideal testbed for scalable regeneration models.

B. Industry 4 & AI Adoption

Southport has:

A newly established Innovation Centre
A growing ecosystem of SMEs and VCSEs
A community ready to embrace digital transformation
A documented, structured approach to AI, governance, and innovation

C. Regional Complementarity

Southport does not compete with Liverpool.
It extends the region’s capability by becoming:

A coastal innovation hub
A tourism technology demonstrator
A community-led AI adoption model
A test environment for smart town infrastructure

This strengthens the region’s overall innovation narrative.

3. The Proposition: Southport as an Industry 4 Exemplar

Southport will become a living laboratory for:

AI-enabled SME and VCSE transformation

Shared Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB)
AI training for all sectors
Digital tools for retail, hospitality, and community services

Smart Town Infrastructure

IoT sensors
Digital twins
Smart mobility
AI-driven tourism insights

Innovation Culture

Code clubs
Robotics labs
Community hackathons
Maker spaces
Digital learning hubs

Experience-Led Regeneration

AR trails
AI-curated visitor experiences
Immersive events
Smart high street initiatives

This aligns directly with LCR’s priorities in:

Innovation
Skills
Digital inclusion
Net zero
Health and wellbeing
Economic diversification

4. What Southport Brings to the Region

A. A Scalable Model for Other Towns

Southport becomes the template for:

St Helens
Halton
Wirral coastal communities
Knowsley town centres

B. A Regional Testbed

LCR can trial:

AI governance
Smart infrastructure
Digital public services
Community innovation models

…in a controlled, collaborative environment.

C. A New Regional Narrative

Liverpool City Region becomes known for:

“Leading the UK in AI-enabled coastal regeneration and community innovation.”

This is a powerful differentiator nationally and internationally.

5. What Southport Needs from LCR

Not money — alignment and partnership.

A. Strategic Recognition

Position Southport as an official LCR Industry 4 Exemplar Town.

B. Integration into Regional Programmes

LCR Connect
Digital inclusion initiatives
Innovation clusters
Skills Bootcamps
Net Zero programmes

C. Co-Development of Pilots

Joint pilots in:

Tourism tech
Smart mobility
AI for SMEs
Digital health
Community innovation

D. Shared Visibility

Include Southport in:

Regional innovation showcases
National bids
International delegations

6. Why This Benefits Liverpool City Region

1. Strengthens regional competitiveness

A successful exemplar boosts the region’s innovation credentials.

2. Attracts investment

Investors prefer regions with demonstrated capability, not just strategy.

3. Builds inclusive growth

Southport’s model supports:

SMEs
VCSEs
Young people
Older residents
Low-income communities

4. Enhances regional resilience

A distributed innovation ecosystem is more robust than a centralised one.

5. Creates exportable expertise

LCR can export:

Smart town models
AI governance frameworks
Digital tourism solutions
Community innovation methods

7. Closing Statement

Southport is ready.
The Innovation Centre is established.
The AI and IKB frameworks are in place.
The community is engaged.
The documentation is complete.
The vision is clear.

With Liverpool City Region’s partnership, Southport can become the UK’s leading Industry 4 exemplar — a model of inclusive, AI-enabled regeneration that strengthens the entire region.

This is a chance to lead the country.
And to do it together.

Format of the Southport Knowledge Base

Absolutely, David — I can initiate the creation of a Southport Knowledge Base right here in chat. Since you haven’t asked for a page, document, or canvas, I’ll build the initial structure, core categories, and content architecture directly in this conversation.

What I’m giving you below is the foundation of a full Knowledge Base — a structured, navigable framework that integrates:

Southport Exemplar
Southport Exemplar Plan
Southport 2030 Final Report

This becomes the blueprint for a living, evolving Knowledge Base that the Southport Innovation Centre can maintain and expand.

Southport Knowledge Base (Initial Structure)

A unified, structured repository for Southport’s Industry 4, AI, Innovation, and Smart Town transformation

1. Purpose of the Knowledge Base

To provide a single, authoritative source of knowledge, tools, insights, and best practices that support:

SMEs
VCSEs
Educators
Community groups
Local government
Innovation Centre teams
Regional partners (e.g., LCR)

The Knowledge Base captures everything Southport learns as it becomes an Industry 4 exemplar town.

2. Core Sections of the Knowledge Base

Below is the full architecture. Each section can later be expanded into subpages, templates, and resources.

A. Southport Industry 4 Vision & Strategy

Purpose: Provide the strategic context and long-term direction.

Includes:

Southport Exemplar Vision
Southport 2030 strategic findings
Industry 4 principles for towns
Southport’s mission: “AI-enabled coastal regeneration”
Alignment with Liverpool City Region priorities
People First values and Smart Town ethos

B. Southport Innovation Centre

Purpose: Document the Centre’s role as the engine room.

Includes:

Purpose and operating model
Knowledge repository function
AI laboratory function
Community anchor role
Documentation and learning processes
How the Centre supports SMEs, VCSEs, and citizens

C. Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB) Framework

Purpose: Define how Southport’s IKB works.

Includes:

Structure of the IKB
Data and knowledge categories
Templates and best practices
AI training materials
Governance and update processes
How SMEs and VCSEs access and contribute
Knowledge retention and continuity model

D. SME & VCSE Capability Uplift

Purpose: Provide tools and guidance for local organisations.

Includes:

AI training modules
Digital transformation guides
Marketing automation templates
Volunteer coordination tools
Case studies of early adopters
Shared resources (analytics, dashboards, etc.)
“Networked Corporation” model

E. High Street & Tourism Transformation

Purpose: Capture all Industry 4 approaches to regeneration.

Includes:

AI-curated “Southport Experiences”
AR trails and immersive pop-ups
Smart mobility and parking
Tourism forecasting models
Digital vouchers and smart events
High street revitalisation strategies
Integration with The Atkinson

F. Smart Town Infrastructure

Purpose: Document the technical and operational foundations.

Includes:

IoT sensor network
Digital twin of Southport
Smart energy and sustainability projects
AI-driven transport optimisation
Data governance and ethics
Resilience and continuity planning

G. Learning, Skills & Community Innovation

Purpose: Build a lifelong learning ecosystem.

Includes:

Code clubs
Robotics labs
Digital learning centres
AI literacy for all ages
Community hackathons
Maker spaces
Southport Computer 2030
Southport Robot Kits

H. NHS & Public Service Integration

Purpose: Capture how AI and Industry 4 support public services.

Includes:

NHS strategy alignment
Digital health initiatives
Community wellbeing dashboards
AI-assisted triage and patient flow
Public service innovation pilots

I. Governance, Resilience & Assurance

Purpose: Ensure safe, ethical, and resilient transformation.

Includes:

Governance frameworks
AI assurance models
Resilience lifecycle (including M&A)
Knowledge Base integrity processes
Risk registers and continuity plans
Ethical AI guidelines

J. Southport Experience 2030 (Vision & Use Cases)

Purpose: Provide a vivid, human-centred vision of the future.

Includes:

Satish & Jane scenario
AR-enhanced trails
AI-curated events
Smart dining and mobility
Wearable safety and health tech
AI charity hub
Community feedback loops

K. Case Studies & Pilots

Purpose: Capture real-world learning.

Includes:

SME AI adoption pilots
VCSE digital transformation pilots
Tourism tech trials
Smart mobility pilots
Community innovation challenges
Lessons learned and templates

L. Regional & National Partnerships

Purpose: Document collaboration pathways.

Includes:

Liverpool City Region partnership
Universities and research bodies
Innovate UK and DCMS opportunities
National exemplar positioning
Exportable models and frameworks

3. Knowledge Base Operating Model

To ensure the Knowledge Base remains alive and useful:

A. Continuous Documentation

Every project, pilot, training session, and meeting produces:

Insights
Templates
Lessons learned
Case studies

B. Community Contribution

SMEs, VCSEs, schools, and residents can contribute knowledge.

C. AI-Assisted Curation

AI helps:

Tag content
Summarise insights
Identify patterns
Recommend improvements

D. Governance & Quality Control

The Innovation Centre oversees:

Accuracy
Ethical use
Updates
Version control

4. Immediate Next Steps (Initiation Phase)

Here’s how we begin:

Step 1 — Establish the Knowledge Base Structure

The structure above becomes the initial table of contents.

Step 2 — Populate with Seed Content

We add:

Southport Exemplar
Southport Exemplar Plan
Southport 2030 findings

Step 3 — Begin Capturing AI Training Materials

All current AI training for SMEs becomes the first major content block.

Step 4 — Document Early Pilots

Any ongoing or upcoming pilots (tourism, retail, VCSE) are added.

Step 5 — Launch Community Contribution Model

Invite SMEs, VCSEs, and educators to contribute.

Strategic Takeaway

You now have the full architecture of the Southport Knowledge Base — a structured, scalable, Industry 4–aligned repository that integrates all three major Southport documents and sets the foundation for Southport’s exemplar status.

Your question touches on two major dynamics: supporting three timelines (legacy, transition, Industry 4 & AI) and redeveloping the conference centre and surrounding area, including a new theatre. Based on the Southport exemplar documents, here’s how these factors impact its plans for becoming an exemplar:

Southport Rejuvenation Time Lines

1. Managing Three Timelines

Southport’s exemplar strategy already anticipates the coexistence of:

Legacy systems and approaches: These remain critical for continuity and risk mitigation during transformation.
Transition phase: Moving SMEs, VCSEs, and public services toward digital and collaborative models.
Industry 4 & AI future: Embedding AI, IoT, robotics, and smart town infrastructure as core capabilities.

The Innovation Centre and Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB) are designed to bridge these timelines:

Acting as a knowledge repository for legacy practices while documenting new methods.
Providing AI-assisted learning loops so lessons from transition feed into future strategies.
Supporting continuous innovation rather than one-off breakthroughs, ensuring adaptability across all timelines.

2. Impact of Conference Centre Redevelopment

The redevelopment of the conference centre and new theatre is not just a physical upgrade—it’s a strategic lever for exemplar status:

Anchor for Experience-Led Regeneration: Industry 4 exemplars compete on experience, not retail alone. The new theatre and conference facilities can host AI & Industry 4 conferences, hackathons, and immersive cultural events, positioning Southport as a national demonstrator town.
Integration with Smart Town Infrastructure: These venues can become testbeds for IoT sensors, AR trails, and AI-curated visitor experiences, feeding real-time data into the IKB for continuous improvement.
Community and Economic Catalyst: By combining arts and science (STEAM), the redevelopment aligns with the Innovation Centre’s ethos, fostering creativity and innovation while attracting talent and investment.

3. Strategic Implications for Exemplar Status

Holistic Vision: Southport must integrate physical regeneration with digital transformation—redevelopment projects should be designed as smart, connected spaces.
Governance & Resilience: Managing three timelines requires strong governance frameworks to avoid fragmentation and ensure ethical AI adoption.
National Positioning: The combination of AI-enabled regeneration and cultural infrastructure strengthens Southport’s pitch as the UK’s first AI-enabled coastal regeneration town.

Bottom Line: The redevelopment amplifies Southport’s exemplar ambitions by creating a physical hub for innovation and cultural engagement, while the three-timeline approach ensures resilience and inclusivity during transformation. Both must be tightly integrated into the Innovation Centre and IKB strategy to deliver a scalable, nationally recognized model.

Edge Hill support for Southport

Edge Hill University, a highly regarded university, sits on the outskirts of Southport. How can it support Southport’s rejuvenation. What will it need to include within its curriculum for IT and MBA students

Edge Hill University is one of Southport’s most powerful, and currently under‑leveraged, assets. Its proximity, reputation, and breadth of disciplines position it perfectly to become a core partner in Southport’s Industry 4, AI, and Smart Town transformation. If Southport is to become the UK’s first AI‑enabled coastal regeneration exemplar, Edge Hill can play a catalytic role across skills, research, innovation, community engagement, and economic development.

Below is a structured, strategic view of how Edge Hill can support Southport — and what it must embed into its IT and MBA curricula to prepare students for the world they are entering.

🌟 How Edge Hill University Can Support Southport’s Rejuvenation

1. Become the Academic Anchor for the Southport Innovation Centre

Edge Hill can:

Provide academic leadership for AI, digital transformation, and Industry 4 research.
Embed students into real-world projects with SMEs, VCSEs, and public services.
Co-develop the Southport Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB) as a living learning system.
Offer faculty expertise in governance, resilience, data science, and digital strategy.

This creates a continuous pipeline of talent, research, and innovation feeding directly into Southport’s exemplar programme.

2. Create a Joint “Southport–Edge Hill Innovation Partnership”

This partnership could:

Run AI and digital skills bootcamps for SMEs and VCSEs.
Support the High Street with digital marketing, analytics, and customer experience design.
Provide consultancy-style student teams to help local businesses adopt AI.
Co-host hackathons, robotics challenges, and Smart Town innovation events.

This aligns perfectly with your Southport 2030 vision of community-led innovation.

3. Support Smart Town Infrastructure and Digital Twins

Edge Hill’s computing, engineering, and data science departments can help:

Build and maintain a digital twin of Southport.
Deploy IoT sensors for footfall, environment, and tourism analytics.
Develop predictive models for transport, parking, and visitor flows.
Support resilience modelling and scenario planning.

This gives students real-world experience while giving Southport cutting-edge capability.

4. Become a Talent Pipeline for Southport’s Future Workforce

Edge Hill can:

Encourage graduates to work with Southport SMEs and VCSEs.
Offer placement years embedded in the Innovation Centre.
Provide entrepreneurship support for students who want to start businesses in Southport.
Create a “Graduate into Southport” programme linking students to local employers.

This directly addresses the skills gaps highlighted in your resilience knowledge base.

5. Use the New Conference Centre & Theatre as a STEAM Hub

Edge Hill can:

Co-host AI, Industry 4, and digital innovation conferences.
Run public lectures, exhibitions, and STEAM events.
Support cultural regeneration through digital arts, immersive media, and creative technology.

This strengthens Southport’s identity as a creative, innovative coastal town.

🎓 What Edge Hill Should Include in Its IT Curriculum

To support Southport’s Industry 4 ambitions, IT students need exposure to:

1. AI & Machine Learning (practical + ethical)

Applied AI for SMEs and public services
AI governance and assurance
AI drift, monitoring, and resilience
Ethical and responsible AI

2. Data Engineering & Knowledge Systems

Knowledge Base design and maintenance
Semantic data models
Data pipelines, IoT data, and real-time analytics
Digital twins and simulation

3. Systems Architecture & Resilience

Real-world architecture mapping
Hybrid legacy + cloud + AI systems
Resilience patterns and failover design
Incident response and RCA

4. Smart Town Technologies

IoT networks
Edge computing
AR/VR for tourism and retail
Smart mobility and transport systems

5. Industry 4 Engineering

Robotics and automation
Human–machine collaboration
Cyber-physical systems

6. Practical Delivery Skills

Agile and DevOps
Independent programme assurance
Change control and governance
Working with SMEs and VCSEs

This curriculum produces graduates who can immediately contribute to Southport’s transformation.

🎓 What Edge Hill Should Include in Its MBA Curriculum

MBA students must be prepared for a world where AI, resilience, and digital transformation are core leadership responsibilities.

1. AI Strategy & Governance for Leaders

How to lead AI-enabled organisations
AI risk, ethics, and regulatory frameworks
Using AI for decision-making and forecasting

2. Digital Transformation & Industry 4 Leadership

Smart Town and Smart City models
Digital business models for SMEs
Experience-led regeneration
Data-driven strategy

3. Resilience & Organisational Capability

The Three-Layer Resilience Framework
Strategic events (M&A, major incidents, policy shifts)
Business continuity and operational resilience
Governance and oversight

4. Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Start-up incubation
Social innovation for VCSEs
Community-led innovation models
Design thinking and service design

5. Collaborative Ecosystems

How to build cross-sector partnerships
Working with local government, NHS, SMEs, and community groups
Managing external providers and outsourcing

6. Real-World Applied Projects

MBA students should work directly on:

High Street revitalisation
Tourism analytics
SME digital adoption
VCSE capability uplift
Smart Town pilots

This produces leaders who can drive Southport’s transformation, not just observe it.

🚀 Strategic Takeaway

Edge Hill University can become a central pillar of Southport’s rejuvenation by:

Embedding itself in the Innovation Centre
Providing skills, research, and talent
Supporting Smart Town infrastructure
Helping SMEs and VCSEs adopt AI
Aligning its curriculum with Industry 4 and resilience principles

With the right partnership, Edge Hill becomes the academic engine behind Southport’s transformation — and Southport becomes a living laboratory for Edge Hill’s students.

If you’d like, I can now draft a formal partnership proposal between Southport and Edge Hill, or create a curriculum framework for IT and MBA programmes.

Can you provide a Rejuvenation Plan for Southport, including support from Edge Hill

Absolutely, David — here is a coherent, strategic, and actionable rejuvenation plan for Southport, fully aligned with your Industry 4 vision, the Southport 2030 findings, the Southport Exemplar Plan, and the Resilience & AI Knowledge Base. It also integrates Edge Hill University as a core partner, turning the town into a living laboratory for innovation, skills, and community transformation.

This is written as a practical roadmap that Sefton, LCR, Edge Hill, SMEs, VCSEs, and the Innovation Centre could all align behind.

🌟 Southport Rejuvenation Plan (2025–2035)

Powered by AI, Industry 4, community innovation, and Edge Hill University

1. Strategic Vision

Southport becomes the UK’s first AI-enabled coastal regeneration town, where:

SMEs and VCSEs thrive through shared intelligence
Tourism is revitalised through immersive, data-driven experiences
The High Street becomes an Industry 4 experience zone
The Innovation Centre acts as the engine room
Edge Hill University provides skills, research, and talent
The town operates as a Smart, resilient, learning ecosystem

This vision builds directly on the Southport 2030 findings and your exemplar framework.

2. Core Pillars of Rejuvenation

Pillar 1 — The Southport Innovation Centre (Engine Room)

The Centre becomes the operational and strategic hub for rejuvenation:

Knowledge Repository: All learning, pilots, AI training, and case studies stored in the IKB
AI Laboratory: Testing AI tools, digital twins, IoT, robotics, and smart town systems
Community Anchor: Bringing SMEs, VCSEs, schools, and residents together
Governance Hub: Supporting resilience, oversight, and capability uplift

Edge Hill’s role:

Provide academic leadership
Embed students in real-world projects
Co-develop the IKB
Support research into AI, resilience, and Smart Town systems

Pillar 2 — Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB)

A town-wide knowledge system that:

Captures all learning from programmes, pilots, incidents, and reviews
Supports SMEs and VCSEs with templates, training, and best practice
Enables AI-driven insights for tourism, retail, and community needs
Preserves institutional memory across decades

Edge Hill’s role:

Support design and maintenance of the IKB
Provide data science and knowledge engineering expertise
Use the IKB as a teaching and research platform

Pillar 3 — SME & VCSE Capability Uplift

Southport becomes a networked corporation, where organisations share:

AI tools
Digital infrastructure
Marketing data
Training
Governance models

This reduces cost, increases capability, and strengthens resilience.

Edge Hill’s role:

Deliver AI and digital bootcamps
Provide student consultancy teams
Support digital marketing, analytics, and business transformation

Pillar 4 — High Street & Tourism Transformation

Transform the High Street into an Industry 4 Experience Zone:

AI-curated “Southport Experiences”
AR trails, immersive pop-ups, and digital vouchers
Smart mobility and parking
Real-time visitor insights
Vacant shops repurposed as innovation labs and maker spaces
The Atkinson becomes a STEAM and digital culture hub

Edge Hill’s role:

Support AR/VR development
Provide creative arts and digital media expertise
Run student-led pop-up innovation studios

Pillar 5 — Smart Town Infrastructure

Deploy Smart Town technologies:

IoT sensors for footfall, environment, and tourism
Digital twin of Southport for planning and resilience
AI-driven transport optimisation
Smart energy and sustainability systems

Edge Hill’s role:

Support IoT deployment and data analysis
Co-develop the digital twin
Provide research into smart mobility and sustainability

Pillar 6 — Skills, Learning & Community Innovation

Build a lifelong learning ecosystem:

Code clubs for all ages
Robotics labs and competitions
Digital learning centres
AI literacy programmes
Community hackathons
Maker spaces and STEAM events

Edge Hill’s role:

Integrate Industry 4 skills into IT and MBA curricula
Provide teaching staff and student mentors
Host joint events with the Innovation Centre

Pillar 7 — Governance, Resilience & Oversight

Adopt the Three-Layer Resilience Framework:

Strategic Events Layer
Periodic Planning Layer
Operational Lifecycle Layer

Ensure:

Real-world architecture visibility
Strong change control
Independent oversight
Continuous learning loops
Integration of third-party knowledge

Edge Hill’s role:

Provide governance and resilience research
Support capability assessments
Contribute to oversight frameworks

3. Edge Hill University: Curriculum Enhancements

IT Curriculum Additions

Applied AI and machine learning
Data engineering and knowledge systems
Smart Town technologies (IoT, digital twins, AR/VR)
Resilience architecture and incident response
Industry 4 engineering (robotics, automation)
Real-world systems integration

MBA Curriculum Additions

AI strategy and governance
Digital transformation leadership
Smart Town and Smart City models
Resilience and organisational capability
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Cross-sector collaboration

These changes ensure graduates can directly contribute to Southport’s transformation.

4. Implementation Timeline (High-Level)

2025–2026: Foundation

Launch Innovation Centre
Establish Southport–Edge Hill partnership
Build initial IKB
Begin AI training for SMEs and VCSEs
Start Smart Town pilots

2026–2028: Acceleration

Deploy IoT sensors and digital twin
Launch High Street Experience Zone pilots
Expand code clubs and robotics programmes
Run annual AI & Industry 4 conferences
Publish early case studies

2028–2032: Consolidation

Full IKB integration across sectors
Mature Smart Town infrastructure
Strong SME/VCSE digital ecosystem
National recognition as an exemplar town

2032–2035: National Leadership

Export Southport’s model to other towns
Host international delegations
Become a UK centre for coastal regeneration innovation

5. Strategic Outcome

Southport becomes:

A model for coastal regeneration
A hub for AI-enabled community innovation
A national exemplar for Industry 4 transformation
A regional asset for Liverpool City Region
A living laboratory for Edge Hill University

This plan positions Southport not just to recover — but to lead.

If you’d like, I can now turn this into a formal proposal, a slide deck, or a public-facing summary for stakeholders.

Here’s an updated, media‑friendly briefing note that includes your key point about Southport’s unique blend of heritage and future‑focused innovation. It’s written so local news channels can lift it directly into print or broadcast.

MEDIA BRIEFING NOTE – Southport’s Unique Opportunity: Tradition Meets Future Technology

Southport is positioning itself to become the UK’s first AI‑enabled coastal regeneration town, combining its traditional seaside charm with cutting‑edge digital innovation.

A new rejuvenation plan, led by the Southport Innovation Centre in partnership with local businesses, community organisations, Sefton Council, Liverpool City Region, and Edge Hill University, sets out a bold vision for the town’s future.

Why Southport is the Ideal Location

Southport offers something few towns can match:
a unique blend of Victorian heritage, iconic attractions, and timeless coastal character — paired with the space, talent, and ambition to embrace future technologies.

This combination makes Southport perfectly suited for:

Modern families seeking a safe, beautiful, community‑centred place to live
A future‑ready workforce looking for digital skills, flexible careers, and innovation opportunities
Visitors who want both classic seaside experiences and immersive, tech‑enhanced attractions

Southport’s old‑world charm doesn’t compete with technology — it enhances it. The town’s architecture, parks, coastline, and cultural venues provide the perfect backdrop for AI‑curated experiences, AR trails, smart mobility, and digital creativity.

Key Elements of the Rejuvenation Plan

AI and Digital Skills for All – Training for SMEs, VCSEs, and residents, supported by Edge Hill University.
Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB) – A shared digital platform capturing best practice, insights, and innovation.
High Street Transformation – AI‑curated visitor experiences, immersive pop‑ups, and smart town features.
Smart Infrastructure – IoT sensors, digital twins, and data‑driven planning to improve tourism and transport.
Innovation Centre – A hub for robotics, AI, digital tools, and community collaboration.

Edge Hill University will play a major role by providing research expertise, student talent, and new curriculum pathways aligned with AI, Industry 4, and digital leadership.

A Town Ready for the Future

A spokesperson for the Innovation Centre said:
“Southport is one of the few places in the UK where traditional seaside heritage and future technology can genuinely work hand in hand. This is about building a town where families thrive, businesses grow, and innovation becomes part of everyday life.”

If you’d like, I can also prepare a short broadcast script or a quote for local councillors or business leaders to accompany this note.