Discover Stratford - Tourism News

Destination Steering Group Formation

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Destination Steering Group Formation

A new Destination Steering Group has been formed to boost the tourism economy for Stratford-on-Avon District. The new, independent body will comprise representatives from the tourism sector, local government and other organisations with an interest in developing a successful visitor economy for the area.

The first priority of the Destination Steering Group was to secure a new tourism strategy for Stratford District. At its inaugural meeting on 28 November 2011, the Steering Group ratified a new strategy which has now been endorsed by Stratford-on-Avon District Council at its Cabinet meeting on 16 January. Speaking as Chair of the new Steering Group, Lincoln Clarke, Chief Operating Officer at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said, â€œWe have been fierce critics of the District Council's approach to tourism in recent times, but we are delighted with their response following lengthy consultation. Now that we have a steering group representing both local government and private sector tourism interests, we are confident we can look forward to working in a joined up way and from a more sustainable and stable base."

The Destination Steering Group has already secured match funding from Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the appointment of a Destination Manager. Private sector match funding is required before the recruitment process can begin, but the Steering Group hopes to fill the post in March 2012, initially for a 12 month contract period.

Following discussions with the Chief Executive of VisitEngland, James Beresford, The Destination Steering Group will seek to establish itself as a Destination Management Organisation which is recognised by national and international tourism and government agencies. Lincoln Clarke said, â€œEffectively the Group would become a private sector-led, private/public partnership, limited by guarantee. This would allow us to take advantage of partnership opportunities, and to unlock funding streams as and when government purse strings are loosened."

He added, â€œWe have a great deal of work to do to re-establish Stratford as a top 20 destination, having lost considerable ground over recent years to other UK destinations, but I really feel that we all now understand better the scale of the job to be done and how we might achieve it. It is vital for the well being and vibrancy of the area and all who live here that our visitor economy, the biggest driver of our local economy, is healthy and growing and we need to manage it in a professional business-like way."

Councillor Valerie Hobbs, Enterprise, Housing & Revenues Portfolio Holder, with responsibility for the tourism portfolio, said: â€œThis is a very positive way forward for tourism in our District and represents true Public/Private Partnership working. I should very much like to thank everyone who has made this possible and am confident that together we can put Stratford firmly back on the map. I am delighted to announce that at the recommendation of its Cabinet the Council has become a signatory to the Tourism Strategy."

Further Comments

Nadim Zahawi MP for Stratford upon Avon:â€œI am delighted that this group is coming together to promote our fantastic area. The Local Enterprise Partnership is already an example of how a private sector led partnership can deliver real results, and I am sure that this organisation will be just as effective. I will obviously do whatever I can to assist them and wish them the best of luck in this exciting year for tourism."

James Berresford CEO Visit England:â€œShakespeare's Stratford is an iconic world brand and it should be working much harder for the people of Stratford. I look forward to working more closely with the area in the future and am very supportive of the approach being taken"

Councillor Chris Saint Leader of SDC:â€œIt has taken a lot of hard work from our officers and volunteers from the private sector to get us this far and I would like to thank them for their time and commitment. It has been a tough eighteen months but I really feel that we now have an approach that all stakeholders support and one which is most likely to succeed!"

David Collins, Deputy Chair of the Destination Steering Group and Head of Marketing at the RSC:â€œThe RSC is delighted to support this new collaborative approach to the tourism strategy for the area. We have some of Britain's best loved cultural and heritage landmarks to offer visitors and it makes absolute sense to join forces to find the most effective means of promoting them and maximising the benefits tourism brings to the local economy."

Ends

Motoring Record Breakers - Heritage Motor Centre

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Being the year of the Olympics and hopefully a year when plenty of British athletes will break records; the Heritage Motor Centre is set to host an exciting new exhibition entitled â€œMotoring Record Breakers". The exhibition, which will run from 11 February â€“ 2 September 2012, will present the best of motoring record breakers including some of the fastest British cars, the slowest, smallest, most economical and the more wacky record breakers.

Visitors will have the opportunity of exploring vehicles that created new horizons and take a journey into history with a selection of vehicles that have helped change the face of motoring. Some of the exciting cars on display include the Sunbeam 1000hp, the first car ever to set a land speed record of over 200mph and the steam car 'Inspiration', which holds the land speed record for a steam car which it secured in 2009. The previous record was set in 1906!

Tim Bryan, Head of Collections at the Heritage Motor Centre stated â€œOur Motoring Record Breakers exhibition is an exciting collection of amazing vehicles which we are thrilled to be exhibiting. Featuring an eclectic mix of vehicles â€“ some of the giants, and minnows, of motoring history, the exhibition will bring them to life with both adult and child-friendly interpretation. This exhibition really is a must for everyone and not just car fans!"

Families can also enjoy a special Half Term 'Record Breaking' fun week from 11 - 19 February. A themed quiz and trail will take place all week along with a special free family craft day on Thursday 16 February. Taking place in the Education Room from 11am â€“ 3pm, families can work together to create exciting crafts, and perhaps even set some records of their own! The HMC is also continuing with its record breaking theme at Easter. From 31 March â€“ 15 April, children can join in with record breaking egg-citing fun & make and race their own egg car, plus quizzes and other crafts and activities. Craft days will also take place on Thursday 5 & 12 April. Normal museum admission prices apply and children can take home what they make.

There is no extra charge to see the Motoring Record Breakers Exhibition as it is included in the standard Museum entry fees. Museum prices are: Adults £11, Child £8 (5-16 years) under 5 free, Concessions £9 & Family £34 (2 adults & up to 3 children).

Motoring Record Breakers is just one of many exciting and unique events to take place at the Heritage Motor Centre in 2012. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

Heritage Motor Centre wins prestigious national award!

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Heritage Motor Centre wins prestigious national award!

The Heritage Motor Centre, in conjunction with local design agency Box Clever Marketing, has won a prestigious national award for its conference marketing at the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards. The awards, which celebrate the industry's best marketing initiatives of the year, were announced at the Park Plaza Riverbank London on Monday 17 October. The Centre was amongst the final four for Best Brochure â€“ Venues/Destinations and beat off strong competition from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Jersey Conference Bureau and Victory Services Club in London.

The HMC and Box Clever Marketing successfully developed an integrated campaign with the tagline 'an ideal blank canvas for conferences, meetings and events'. The campaign focused on the HMC's unique selling points and was so successful it expanded into the reception area to improve communication, increase bookings and occupancy and maintain the conference rate during the economic downturn. The campaign's success was reflected by occupancy rising by 7%, confirmed bookings from new customers increasing by 25% and the e-version of the brochure receiving 100's of views per month. 8% of confirmed bookings so far this year have come via online sources compared to 5% for the entire 2010.

Julie Tew, Managing Director at the Heritage Motor Centre stated â€œWe are thrilled and honoured to have won the gold award at the MIMA 2011. Winning this award is testament to the quality of work and creative talent that has gone into creating our conference marketing".

The HMC is a dedicated conference and exhibition centre conveniently located off junction 12 of the M40 in Warwickshire. The Centre offers over 20 stylish meeting rooms for 6 - 600 delegates with internal and external exhibition space and outdoor event space licensed for 5000 people. Set in 65 acres, the Centre also boasts a meadow for team building, two 4x4 off-road tracks, 2000 free car parking spaces, and external hard standing (9700sqm), ideal for marquees and outdoor events.

To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

To download the e-brochure please click on the link http://conference.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/ebrochure

Applications invited for Visit England Awards for Excellence

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Tourism businesses across Stratford-on-Avon District are urged to put themselves forward for the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2012.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council together with other tourism partners that make up the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership hope to put the District on the map by encouraging local tourism businesses to take part in the competition.

Previous winners from Stratford-on-Avon District include the Art Gallery at Compton Verney, who struck silver in the Small Visitor Attraction category in the 2011 awards and The Royal Shakespeare Company who scooped the 2011 award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.

Cllr Valerie Hobbs, Enterprise, Housing and Revenues Portfolio says: â€œWe have some truly wonderful visitor attractions in Stratford-on-Avon District and I would like to encourage as many local businesses to take part in the competition. This is your chance to 'blow your own trumpet' and be recognised for the outstanding service, quality and innovation you offer making the District such a superb place to visit."

Details of the Visit England Awards for Excellence are available at www.visitenglandawards.org

This year there are no regional heats and tourism businesses will be able to apply directly visit the website.

Applications close on 6 January 2012.