Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of the Director – Communities & Environment (formerly Director – Customers) which sought to provide Members with the draft Destination Management Plans for Southwell and Sherwood Forest. 

The report set out that national data suggested that the economic impact of the visitor economy is worth around £260m to the District economy per annum.  It was noted that the Plan was a shared statement of intent to manage a destination over a stated period of time, articulating the roles of the different stakeholders and identifying clear actions that they would take and where appropriate the apportionment of resources.  The Plans for Southwell and Sherwood Forest took account of the differences in the levels of maturity of destination management and provided a recommendation for each of the District’s three destination brands: Newark; Southwell and Sherwood Forest.  The key proposals for the two plans were reported in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 of the report.

In considering the report Members made a number of comments.  They queried whether it was possible to have sight of any specific actions or outcomes arising from the Plans.  The Business Manager – Tourism advised that it was intended to send the information out to Members.  Members also commented that the Council did not seem to take full advantage of Robin Hood as a tourist attraction.  The Business Manager advised that it was hoped that it would be made a key priority in the Plans.  Members stated that the Sherwood Forest Plan presented a good tourist offer on the Sherwood Visitor Centre site but that other areas of interest also needed to be included.  In order to do that, Members suggested that work with ‘experts’ be undertaken.  Members agreed that visitors to the Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre needed to be directed to other tourist facilities in Southwell and Newark.  Members also agreed with the comments contained within the Plans in relation to accommodation provision. 

Members commented that the proposed two year closure of Nottingham Castle should be taken advantage of.  It was reported that the train line ran from Lincoln to Nottingham and had been called the Castle Line with the new operators of the line being keen to increase the amount of tourists using the facility.  It was noted that the majority of tourists to the Sherwood Forest area were there for recreational and leisure with Southwell and Newark visitors being there for culture and heritage.  All Members agreed that there needed to be a cross fertilisation between the three Plans.  It was noted that National Trust attractions received visitors from outside the District and the East Midlands region as being a member of the National Trust allowed them to gain entry free of charge.  It was suggested that National Trust facilities within the District should be utilised to direct visitors to the Council’s own attractions. 

Members queried whether it was possible to advertise the District’s attractions on trains and in stations.  Members were advised that it was possible but there would be a cost implication.  Consideration would need to be given as to whether the cost of doing so would be value for money.  The Business Manager advised that 80% of visitors travelled by car but encouragement to travel by train could be given and that this was being explored by the new East Coast Mainline operators.

In summary the Chairman advised that the language used to get the tourism message out to visitors was very important.  He added that every opportunity must be exploited and that individuals with a vision of how to enhance the tourist offer should be invited to attend the proposed Southwell Tourism Partnership and the Strategic Tourism Management Group for the Sherwood Forest Plan. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that the Committee approve, in principle, the draft Destination management Plans for Southwell and Sherwood Forest, subject to further discussion and refinement with key stakeholders.