At Aspect our principal concern is for the welfare of our clients, our staff and the members of the public who attend market research events at our venues. Since the announcement of the first global cases of Coronavirus we have been carefully listening to the advice given by the World Health Organisation, the UK Government and their Chief Medical Advisors.

Based on the current threat assessment posed by the virus within the UK the advice has been to contain the spread by isolating those affected and reinforcing basic principles of hygiene in all public spaces.

At Aspect we have acted upon this advice by asking anyone who enters our building to wash their hands upon arrival. We have also provided liquid hand sanitisers throughout our venues. In addition to this, we are also speaking to clients, and anyone who is recruiting participants into Aspect, to ensure that participants who have either personally travelled to any of the countries affected by the virus, or have been in contact with someone who has, to be excluded from the research and advised to self-isolate. We will also be advising anyone who participates in research at Aspect how they can minimise risks through social distancing – not shaking hands and maintaining an approximate distance of 1 metre.

This is unfortunately not something which will be easily resolved in the immediate future and not something which can be solved by any person alone. We are committed to maintaining continual communication about this issue and will be working with all of our partners within the research community to ensure that, wherever possible, we are mitigating the risks by following the advice of experts.

In the event that the advice from the government or the health authorities changes we will be ready with contingency plans to help you continue your research with the minimum disruption.

More information on for the public and people working within market research can be found on the MRS website here.

UPDATED: 11/03/2020 16:00

We’re delighted to announce that for the fourth year running Aspect have been named as finalists in the Best Viewing Facility category at the MRS Operations Awards.

We previously won the award in 2017 with the judges words highlighting Aspect’s “clear commitment to improving the viewing facility experience” and our use of technology to make research more accessible. We’re hoping for a similar success in 2019 and will be attending the prestigious event on the 26th of September at The Curtain in Shoreditch.

The event, which is the only one of its kind in the market research industry, celebrates the outstanding contributions made by market research suppliers – including fieldwork, recruitment, viewing and other supporting companies – who are all so important in the execution and delivery of research projects.

In addition to our Best Viewing Facility nomination, we’ll also be there to cheer on our friends at Acumen who’ve been named as finalists in another 3 categories for their data collection capabilities in two different methodologies and for Best Training & Development.

While we’re thrilled with our nomination, we also realise that none of this would be possible without the ongoing support of many clients who’ve been part of Aspect’s success story – often for many years. Without that we wouldn’t be able to do the work which has previously led to our award wins which is why we’re especially grateful to be where we are now.

Aspect have been named as finalists in the Best Viewing Facility category at the MRS Operations Awards for the the third year in a row and we couldn’t be happier!

This year’s nod comes on the back of winning in the same category at last year’s ceremony and we’re certainly hoping that lightning will strike twice and let us take home the trophy again this year.

The Oppies, as they are known in the industry, are an opportunity for many of the unsung heroes of market research to get recognition for the work that they do with categories tailored specifically to them. In addition to an award for the Best Viewing Facility there are also awards for Best Support Services and Best Data Collection – with the latter category being an award which our sister company Acumen Fieldwork have been shortlisted for.

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony at London’s trendy Beach Blanket Babylon where the team from Aspect will be waiting with baited breath. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

At Aspect we’re known for going the extra mile for our clients, doing whatever we can to make their research a memorable experience. Recently that meant working with a particularly tricky brief, but, as you know, at Aspect we love nothing more than a good challenge!

We were asked by Manchester fashion brand, The Gypsy Shrine, to provide a research space for them. But they were looking for something that was more involved than a typical focus group. They wanted something that would allow everyone involved to be fully immersed in the world of their brand.

The company, which were only founded in 2016, have had meteoric success over the past few years. They’ve gone from being a Manchester start-up making disposable body jewellery for the UK festival market, to an internationally recognised brand with a presence in many major high street retailers and a cult following online.

After such rapid growth the team at The Gypsy Shrine wanted to reconnect with their core market and understand the expectations of their loyal customers. In order to do this, they asked Aspect to help them arrange a research session which would immerse everyone involved in all elements of The Gypsy Shrine.

In order to do this we decided to completely redesign our viewing facility, converting two studios over an entire floor of our Manchester venue into an indoor festival. The transformation was completed with indoor festival tents, grass flooring, festoon lighting and boho-chic decorations to give that finishing touch. The final touch was providing food and drinks on pop-up stalls in different areas throughout Aspect so that the research progressed as if they were moving through an evening’s entertainment.

See the results of Aspect’s collaboration with The Gypsy Shrine and how we created their world in our award winning viewing facility.

We’re delighted to announce that Marco Pierre White, who found fame as the youngest chef to ever receive three Michelin Stars, has recently expanded his restaurant franchise with a new Chop House within the Velvet Hotel and Restaurant.

This prestigious new offering is perfectly aligned with Velvet who have a reputation for high quality offerings in their bar and boutique hotel. And as neighbours, who have a long working history with Velvet, we will be able to continue our partnership by offering clients at Aspect the very best that Velvet and Marco Pierre White have to offer.

In addition to the finest cuisine, delivered right to our studios fresh from their kitchen, Velvet also offer a special discount to Aspect clients who are staying in their boutique hotel. The luxurious surroundings are the perfect place to rest after a long day of research with the added convenience of being right next door to our facility on Canal Street.

To hear more about the Velvet’s latest offerings and how you can make the most of your time at Aspect in Manchester, get in contact with our team on 0161 242 7858 or email manchester@aspectviewingfacilities.com

Stockport has always been an ideal location for market research, with its easy access to national and international transport links, and its close proximity to the affluent southern suburbs of Manchester. However there have been a number of recent upgrades within the local area which are sure to make it an even more enticing location.

The Redrock development within Stockport is a multifaceted space which comprises of bars, restaurants, retail outlets and a stunning new cinema. The newly opened complex has been creating a buzz in Stockport and beyond and has proven to be an attractive location for numerous high street brands and niche local businesses. Aspect is located just 10 minutes away from the Redrock development making it an place for researchers to use as a base for any research on consumer trends and shopping habits in the local area.

Our site in Stockport is equipped with all the latest market research technology, including Focus Vision and their pioneering FV360 camera which records and streams focus groups from the perspective of a full 360 degree panoramic angle. We also have free parking on site and top notch catering; all supplied by our expert team of Studio Managers and Assistants.

To find out more about the Redrock development or what we can offer at Aspect Stockport, contact one of our team on 0161 482 2500 or email stockport@aspectviewingfacilities.com