Brentford community survey draft report 280710

Brentford Community Survey

Results of initial phase amongst Brentford

residents

July 2010

Background and objectives

Brentford Community Council has undertaken a

survey to ask local people and organisations involved

in Brentford what they would like to see improved in

Brentford.

The questionnaire results will inform a community-

owned 'Community Strategy and Action Plan' to help

guide the Council, councillors, businesses and other

service providers where support and investment

should be prioritised.

The project spans across residents, businesses and

charities. However this first iteration will focus on

residents only

A note on the sample profile

achieved so far

So far we have interviewed 136n Brentford Residents

The majority have lived in Brentford for at least 6 years and tend

to be involved in the community.

A note of caution: base sizes are sometimes low for subgroup

analysis but when relevant data cuts are shown for qualitative

reading and flagged as low base sizes.

Note: see local statistics in appendix section for reference.

A year or less

3%

3-5 years

14%

6-10 years

22%

for ever

53%

1-2 years

8%

0

50%2

25%

3

11%

4 or more

3%

1

11%

How long have you lived

in Brentford: Number of children:

75% of our sample recruited so far has been

living in Brentford for at least 6 years

About You & Brentford

Residents surveyed show attachment to

Brentford as very few intend to leave in

the short to medium term How long you have lived in Brentford tends to correlate with anticipated length of stay

(although too few recent joiners to draw conclusions) which seems to suggest a divide of

residents between the core and a more transient population.

Encouragingly 41% of those who have lived here under 6 years intend to stay at least as

long.

Long term residents are loyal to Brentford: 2 thirds who have lived in Brentford forever

intend to stay forever

69% intend on staying at least 6 years and only 8% plan on leaving the town within the next

2 years.

Base: 116n answers

Lived for…

How long lived in

Brentford vs Intend to

stay (%)

A year

or less

1-2

years

3-5

years

6-10

years for ever

Total

Plannin

g on

staying

for...

A year or less 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (7) 1 (5) 1 (2) 3

1-2 years 2 (67) 0 (0) 3 (21) 0 (0) 1 (2) 5

3-5 years 1 (33) 5 (63) 3 (21) 3 (14) 10 (19) 23

6-10 years 0 (0) 0 (0) 3 (21) 6 (27) 6 (11) 15

for ever 1 (33) 3 (37.5) 4 (29) 11 (50) 35 (66) 54

Total 3 8 14 22 53

How long have you been in Brentford (whether living, working

or playing here) and how long do you see yourself staying for?

Global % out of all table (i.e. all cells add up to 100%)

Column % (i.e. all cells in columns add up to 100%)


There is a variety of reasons cited in

relation to an eventual move out of

Brentford

Retirement, desire to move out in the countryside or just having to

return back home were frequent reasons cited for eventually leaving

Brentford.

Work relocation also unsurprisingly was often cited.

More worryingly we note a sense of despair vis a vis the regeneration of

the High Street, some people ‘giving up’ on seeing improvements.

Base: 50n answers

Reasons to move out of Brentford:

(Open question)


A tale of two cities?

Brentford is perceived as a friendly but

run down place

Brentford is first and foremost perceived as a friendly place and to a smaller extent a community.

We also note frequent mentions to the historical nature of the town.

However almost as top of mind are impressions of a run down, shabby, neglected, tired or even dirty place.

Base: 111n answers

How do you see Brentford (first three adjectives that spring to

mind when you think of Brentford)?

(Open question)


Majority of residents either opt for a mix

mode of transportation or drive to

commute in and out of Brentford

Although cycling represents a small proportion of commuting choices

(however way higher than the London average it has to be said) it is

more popular amongst new residents (under 2 years)

Conversely driving tends to be more prominent amongst those who

have lived for over 6 years

Main modes of transportation:

– Combination 37%

– Drive 31% (38% amongst those in Brentford over 6 years)

– Bus 11% (24% amongst those in Brentford 3-5 years)

– Tube/rail 11%

– Cycle 7% (42% amongst those in Brentford under 2 years)

– Walk 4%

Base: 108n answers


The overwhelming majority of

residents feel safe in Brentford…

Base: 112n answers

63% know how to contact their local

SNT (Safer Neighbourhood Team

30% contacted the

police in the

last year

Only 8% amongst those living in Brentford for

less than 2 years

But drops to 33% amongst those living in

Brentford for less than 2 years

91% feel safe In Brentford

64% know how to contact

the police in a non-

emergency

36% aware of the

policing pledge

… and there is generally good

awareness amongst the

residents surveyed of how to

contact the local police or Safer

Neighbourhood Team.

• However figures drop

dramatically amongst recent

joiners which points to a need to

relay the message amongst

them.


What’s on in Brentford

The most frequent activities of Brentford

residents within Brentford are unsurprisingly

shopping but also walks, visiting parks ahead

of pubs and restaurant outings

Base: 112n answers

What do you do in Brentford?

WEEKLY


Locals go for walks more often

than they visit pubs and

restaurants in Brentford

When looking at it on a monthly basis we note

higher rates of visits to arts places and

museums as well as medical services.

Base: 112n answers


MONTHLY


Art venues, museums and (thankfully?)

medical services are the least frequently

visited facilities in Brentford

Base: 112n answers


LESS OFTEN THAN MONTHLY Around a fifth of residents

use supermarkets outside

of Brentford

A quarter prefer to frequent pubs and

restaurants outside of Brentford (or just do

not visit them at all)


Around 1 in 4 are not aware of

extended services such as dance

mats or cookery clubs.

Base: 112n answers


NOT AWARE OF

Few are

unaware of

Museums and

arts places

More than 1 in 10

have not heard of

the Children Centre

or Support Groups


Below are the results of the previous pages

presented in full overview

Different way of presenting info

Can chose whatever best fits report’s

audience

Base: 112n answers


FULL OVERVIEW


Overall our sample was aware of most

local activities but mostly attended the

Brentford Festival

Event with lowest awareness is May Fayre with

almost 3 in 10 not having heard of it

Base: 108n answers


Picnic at

St Paul’s

park

May

Fayre

Christmas lights

switch on at

Watermans

Christmas

lights

fundraiser

at Syon Park

Have you attended (in 2008 or 2009) the following community

events:

There are 3 key priorities for Brentford

residents: more shops, a better high

street and more restaurants & coffee

shops

Better Shopping facilities: 18

Better/ decent/ thriving High Street: 16

More restaurants, family pubs & gastropubs: 8

Nice coffee shops: 7

Fresh, healthy food, greengrocer: 6

Better supermarket (Sainsbury's, Waitrose…): 5

Cleaner streets: 5

Community/ Youth Center: 5

Wider variety of shops: 5

Better Secondary Schools/ More schooling options: 4

Deli: 4

Good live music/ events venue: 4

Better canal/ riverside: 3

Better transport: 3

Bookshop: 3

Clothes shop: 3

Decent/ proper Town Center: 3

Farmers Market: 3

More/ better childrens' playgrounds: 3

Shopping Center: 3

Celebrate & signpost heritage: 2

Trampoline club for adults.: 2

A civic society group: 1

A comunity spirit like it used to have: 1

Allotments: 1

Brentford Baths to re open: 1

Buildings more in keeping with our canal/riverside location: 1

Canal side development: 1

Clean air: 1

Decent selection of places to go out in evening & weekends: 1

Eco friendly: 1

GPs surgery open at hours accessible to working people: 1

Gym: 1

More free parking: 1

More landscaping: 1

More pedestrian areas: 1

More vibrant town: 1

Not too many big companies moving in: 1

Police station open longer: 1

Premiership status: 1

Refurbished boatyards: 1

Save historic Brentford: 1

Skate/ BMX park: 1

Support for Lone Parents: 1

Youth Club/activities: 1

Zoo: 1

Base: 89n answers

What would you like that doesn't exist in Brentford?

(Open question)

Detailed coded answers:


Almost 40% of our sample go at least

occasionally support the Bees

Base: 106n answers

Used to go with my brother, but his health is now not so good, but all the family are members of Bees Utd

too expensive for the quality on offer

Haven't got round to it

my son and husband go to every home game

finances currently don't permit regular visits, even less a season ticket!

most matches

16%

no

61%

less than five a

year

23%

Do you go to Griffin Park to watch Brentford Football Club?

Base: 109n answers

Last season I watched 13 games. This season it will be only 3 games, due to I lost my job.


Our sample (admittedly biased towards long

term residents) is generally keen to be

involved in the community. 46% would be

willing to make a time commitment to a charity

Am very involved in community life on Brentford Dock

often miss out on knowing about events till after they occur as I live on the ealing side.

already involved up to limit of time availability

Would like the option of knowing about them and explanation of how people can get involved. Regular email or similar would be good.

Possibly depending on the type of event

Yes

61%

No

39%

Would you like to know how to get involved in community

events and groups (saying yes commits you to nothing)?

Base: 96n answers


Would you be willing to make a time commitment

to a local charity or group , from reading to children at school or community gardening to

maintaining a charitable web site? This could be anything from a couple

of hours a month to a regular daily commitment. Saying Yes does not

commit you.

Yes

46%No

54%

Base: 98n answers

Around a quarter of the sample would be willing to make regular

monetary contributions to charity and would be most motivated

by transparency on what has been achieved with the funds.

Those willing to make a time commitment are also more likely to

make a donation

Yes

27%

No

73%

Would you be willing to make a regular contribution to a

charity that operated solely for the benefit of Brentford

community (from £2 a month)?

Base: 92n answers


Yes

28%

No

72%

Would you be more willing if it was a charity (where you could

Gift Aid) rather than a voluntary group?

Yes

61%

No

39%

Would you be more willing if you could see what happened to

the money?

Yes

52%

No

48%

Yes

42%

No

58%

Yes

77%

No

23%

Amongst those willing to make a time

commitment to a local charity or group

Finding out what’s on in Brentford

84

71

50

42

31

24

22

15

12

8

6

Word of mouth

Www.brentfordtw8.com

Free local newspaper

Flyers through door

HM magazine

Brentford library

Notices in private

windows

Other (please specify)

Paid for local

newspaper

GP waiting room

Phone book / yellow

pages

Word of mouth and the TW8 website are

by far the most common ways of finding

info on what’s on in Brentford

Base: 108n answers


How do you find out what's available in Brentford (tick all that

apply)?

Web search

Local toy lib

Pub - advertises in pub and through word of

mouth in pub

Community groups networks

Brag. Matt harmer's newsletter.

Being observant / through work

Info on our estate notice board

Shop ads

Community groups and local Church

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/

I keep up to date with what's going on.

Yes

80%

No

20%

I already know where to find info

The overwhelming majority are clearly

hungry for more information on what’s

happening in Brentford via an online

source

I have plenty to do! - perhaps a good website would be useful

I get it all but it is clumsy to get to

There is nothing that interests me in Brentford

I prefer to get my entertainment in pleasant surroundings

It's not a lack of information, it's that not many events interest me.

Would you like to know more what’s happening in Brentford?

Base: 103n answers

I work here, so really only need to know about shopping facilities and transport and I can get this by walking the high street and from the train companies

Depends what is being advertised - don't want to be inundated with E-mails/flyers

Those who said no mentioned the following reasons:


Yes

89%

No

7%Would prefer

paper

4%Would you like one online source of

information for Brentford?

And Email is by far the preferred

medium for example in the form of a

newsletter

How would you like to find out what's on in Brentford?

(Open question)

Base: 75n answers

There is also clear appetite from

news from the TW8 website.

A solid base to further develop?


Specific issues in Brentford

Yes

59%

Don't Know

36%

No

5%

Do you think Brentford needs a

permanent youth club in a dedicated

building?

Overall support for the need of a Youth

Club in Brentford is strong (both

spontaneously and when prompted)

Base: 53n answers

Yes

59%

Don't Know

37%

No

4%

Do you think there is a need for

more youth provision in Brentford?

Base: 99n answers

List up to 3 types of youth provision you would like to see (clubs, activities,...):


Yes

46%

Not sure

41%

No

13%

Do you support the move to Lionel

Road?

Most surveyed residents are aware of the

planned move of Brentford FC to Lionel Road

but support is not unequivocal

Base: 100n answers

Yes

75%

No

25%

Are you aware of the plan to move

Brentford Football Club to Lionel

Road?


Those who were not sure said:

(as a % of all 100n respondents who answered the question)

DK/ No views (14%)

No interest in football club (6%)

Potential issue with what will happen with existing site (5%)

Lack of information (5%)

Where is this? (3%)

Pollution from A4/M4. Tight site. (1%)

Far from pubs (1%)

Effect on local businesses (1%)

Divided as a fan vs resident (1%)

Attached to current site (1%)

Maintaining and increasing green

spaces would be the first priority in the

residents’ view should money be

available If money were to be allocated to Brentford (from S106 funding

*for example), on what should it be spent?


Base: 91n answers

73

40

39

38

32

Maintaining/increasing

green spaces

Youth club

Community

Development Co-

Ordinator**

Youth services

Play equipment in

park

Other suggestions (word cloud): - needs to be coded for better analysis

6 in 10 are aware of the Community Payback

Scheme. The main activity envisaged for

offenders would be to help clean the streets &

parks and remove graffitis.

Base: 53n answers Yes

59%

No

41%

Are you aware of the Community

Payback Scheme, whereby

offenders have to do community

work?


What should offenders do as part of

this scheme?

Most are aware (at least ‘sometimes’) of

planning developments before the start

of construction.


Yes

23%

Sometimes

59%

Would like to

be

9%

No

9%

Are you aware of planning developments

before they start building? Is there a vacant plot of land near you

that could be opened up to the

community, or that isn’t maintained?

No respondent could identify vacant

plots of land, however they pointed to a

variety of disused or derelict sites:

Appendix

National & Local Statistics

2001 Census Demographics

for Brentford & Isleworth

Total 2001 Population: 105,343

Gender:

Male: 48.6%

Female: 51.4%

Age:

Under 18: 20.7%

18-60: 63.8%

Over 60: 15.5%

Education:

Full time students: 5.8%

Graduates 16-74: 37.2%

No Qualifications 16-74: 19.3%

Accomodation :

Owner-Occupied: 59%

Social Housing: 21.5% (Council:

16.1%, Housing Ass.: 5.4%)

Privately Rented: 16.7%

Homes without central heating

and/or private bathroom: 7.2%

Origins and ethnicity

Born outside UK: 30.3%

White: 70%

Black: 4.6%

Asian: 18.7%

Mixed: 3.3%

Other: 3.4%

Religion:

Christian: 55.5%

Hindu: 6.6%

Muslim: 8.2%

Sikh: 5.1%

Internet Access

70% of households had access in 2009

Households with access to the Internet, UK 18.3 million households in the UK (70 per cent) had Internet access in 2009. This is an increase of just under 2 million households (11 per cent) over the last year and 4 million households (28 per cent) since 2006. UK estimates are not available prior to 2006. The region with the highest level of access was London, with 80 per cent. The region with the lowest access level was Scotland, with 62 per cent. Sixty-three per cent of all UK households had a broadband connection in 2009, up from 56 per cent in 2008. Of those households with Internet access, 90 per cent had a broadband connection in 2009, an increase from 69 per cent in 2006. In 2009, 37.4 million adults (76 per cent of the UK adult population) accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview. The number of adults who had never accessed the Internet fell to 10.2 million (21 per cent) in 2009. Sixty four per cent of all adults who were recent Internet users (having accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview) had ever purchased goods or services over the Internet in 2009. Of these, 83 per cent (26 million) had purchased within the last three months.

Sources: National Statistics Omnibus Survey

UK wide statistics