Shropshire Council to continue to invest in the tourism sector
Shropshire Council will continue to invest in the tourism sector as its focus moves towards supporting it to develop in a more strategic way.
As part of its review of services and redesign, the council will be changing the way it supports the tourism sector as its focus and direction moves from ‘hands on delivery’ to a more strategic role in developing the sector. This shift has already been evolving for some time, with the work of the team concentrating on developing sustainable partnerships and strategies for the sector to fulfil its own growth potential.
The council is also responding to what it anticipates to be further reductions in central funding by redesigning everything it does. This is to play to the already resilient and self-reliant sector strengths, but also realistically anticipating a near-future in which minimal levels of central government funding are available to underpin public services.
Going forward it will concentrate on developing the impact of its own facilities such as museums on the tourism sector. A new role will also ensure that the council still plays a part in supporting the sector at a strategic level.
The Local Enterprise Partnership and Shropshire Council are also developing a new Business Growth Hub that will provide a new one stop shop for businesses with support, signposting and grant information.
Shropshire Council will continue to invest in the sector by either direct delivery of the Visitor Information Service, for example, in Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth where the service is part of other joint service delivery, or by commissioning the delivery of Visitor Information as in Ludlow, Church Stretton and Mile End, Oswestry.
Investment into its museums, archives, theatre and outdoor recreation services will continue, all of which form a vital part of the visitor’s experience to Shropshire.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader, and Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism, said:
“Tourism is a significant and important sector within the Shropshire economy. However, unfortunately reductions in funding mean we have to make very difficult choices about prioritising the work we do.
“This doesn’t mean that we will not promote Shropshire as a visitor destination because we will. Through the proposed new post we will continue to support the sector at a strategic level and will ensure Shropshire benefits from any new strategic funding opportunities.
“The work of the team to date has put the sector in a strong position to continue to grow. By investing in developing strong partnerships at a destination or town level, with appropriate strategies in place, businesses, existing tourism organisations and communities can continue to work together to attract new external funding opportunities available to rural areas, whilst in Shrewsbury the BID will market our county town as a premier tourism destination.”
