|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the latest edition of Tourism News from the team in the South of Somerset, I hope you like the new look!
|
|
As a team, we have enjoyed the first six months meeting colleagues from across the Cultural Directorate and others, seeing how we can best work together and formulating the Tourism and Cultural strategies.
|
|
|
|
In fact, we had an interesting Cultural Away Day last week hearing about some of the great work our colleagues are doing, including that of the Octagon Team - more later.
|
Inevitably, the content of this newsletter is mainly South Somerset focused, (that is my roots after all!) but I have included information from further afield, like the fun-packed Somerset Coast and Exmoor Walking Festival.
|
|
We are still very much here for all the tourism businesses, so please drop me an email if you think I can help or have a news story to share.
|
|
|
|
Tourism Team News
|
|
|
|
South Somerset Visitor Information Centre update.
Located on the A303 at Cartgate Picnic site and the gateway to the South West, the Visitor Information Centre and Gift Shop has seen a huge surge in visitor numbers and income this year.
|
Over 16,000 visitors have passed through its doors since the beginning of the year with leaflets and brochures continuing to be in high demand. Many visitors and residents specifically ask for printed information for something to read with their cup of coffee and to keep in the car whilst they are out and about.
|
The information centre and gift shop has seen a staggering 218% increase in income compared to June 2019. The most popular items continue to be from the environmentally friendly Eco Chic range of lunch bags, rucksacks and bags for life. Local produce such as honey from the Blackdown Hills is a best seller as well as locally made Radford’s fudge. Local artisan products also sell well, such as Shakespear Glass and Leigh Coombes Ceramics.
|
Group travel is well and truly back on the agenda for the UK – in June alone, staff welcomed more than 25 overseas coaches with Dutch, Swiss, American, Canadian, Austrian, Australian, New Zealand, German and Italian tourists. UK coach trips, including school groups, are also seeing a good increase in numbers.
|
|
If your business would like to benefit from the advertising at the centre, such as the large on-site digital screens please drop me an email
|
|
|
|
VisitSouthSomerset.com website update
|
The South Somerset tourism website continues to be a popular resource, don't forget events are listed for FREE and can be submitted via a simple form, which only takes a few minutes to complete. The form and conditions can be found here.
|
|
|
|
Exciting news from the Octagon Theatre!
The Octagon Theatre has been awarded National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status from Arts Council England, which sees an investment of £760,000 to support arts and cultural activities in the area over the next three years.
|
By becoming an NPO the team will be able to provide more opportunities for our communities to watch, take part and benefit from arts and cultural activities. The NPO investment will support our Arts Engagement & Outreach team to grow, develop and deliver programmes and activities that benefit health and wellbeing, and enrich learning and education in and outside school.
|
Our beautiful county is a great place to live but does face issues with rural isolation, areas of disadvantage, challenges around mental health and an ageing population. The activities will seek to positively contribute to and alleviate these issues, with more opportunities for residents and visitors to interact with the creative arts from Somerset Council venues and community locations throughout the district.
|
|
Great work has already been achieved from increased opportunities, particularly around engagement and participation. Keep an eye out on the Octagon Theatre website for more information.
|
|
|
|
Business Support and Resources
|
|
|
Launch of Exciting Free Digital Business Support
|
|
|
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub is excited to launch a new Digital Business Adviser service; offering free, fully funded one-to-one digital business support.
|
Somerset-based businesses can get dedicated time with 'in-house' Digital Business advisors, tailored to meet your unique business needs and provide you with personalised, actionable digital advice and guidance.
|
After an in-depth Digital Business Review, you will work together to find digital solutions that align with your business goals. The adviser will take a deep dive into your current business challenges and plans, and point you towards the best digital strategies to fast-track your growth. They will offer guidance in various areas of digital support, which could include Digital Marketing, Social Media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), software solutions, improving the customer journey and much more.
|
Please note, Digital Business Advisers aren’t there to fix your tech glitches, however, they will share their valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance your business and enable you to effectively navigate the digital world.
|
|
If you are interested in turbocharging your business's digital journey, simply complete the Get in Touch Form quoting 'Digital Business Review'.
|
|
|
|
Somerset Mentoring Programme
|
Could you benefit from fresh, experienced insight and a sounding board as you run and grow your business? Somerset Council is offering businesses over 1 year old, up to 6 hours of free mentoring over a 6-month period.
|
The mentors have been selected from executive and senior management level business leaders or successful entrepreneurs to help businesses evolve, change and renew business functions. Mentors can help businesses to strategize, challenge and inspire confidence.
|
These mentors understand the challenges associated with running and growing a business and the value of impartial advice. They offer sector experience or a specialism in areas such as:
• Growth Strategy
• Finance
• Marketing
• Product or Service Development
• Bid Writing
• Acquisition
• Exit Strategy
• HR or E-Commerce
and much more...
|
The Somerset Mentoring Programme is funded by the Business Rates Retention Scheme. For more information, or to request a mentee application form, please contact the Somerset Business Support team
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visit England Stats
|
An annual report has been recently published on the findings from the recent Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions in England undertaken by VisitEngland. It provides a comprehensive England-wide analysis of trends plus visits data. The report can be accessed here or on the Visit Britain travel trade pages along with other reports and helpful resources.
|
|
South West - How’s Business Survey
This survey provides a real-time indication of business levels in our region regarding business performance and proves invaluable when applying for national support. The more that take part the better and more useful the information becomes!
|
|
Please complete this quick survey for August 2023 by Sunday 1st October 2023. Many thanks for your help with this, it is really appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Funding opportunities
|
|
|
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)
|
Somerset Council is now open to applications for the Rural England Prosperity Fund from rural businesses and organisations. Grant amounts can range from £5,000 to £100,000, with match-funding contributions required. These projects must be delivered and grant funding must be spent by the end of March 2024.
|
The Rural Fund provides capital funding to:
|
• Support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy.
• Support new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy
|
|
The REPF has very specific criteria set by the Government, therefore, you are urged to check eligibility on the website carefully. More details, including other grants, can be found here.
|
|
|
|
Training Opportunities
|
|
|
|
The Cosmic, the Social Enterprise company specialising in digital skills and support, is working with Visit Exmoor, Visit Somerset, Visit South Devon and Visit Dartmoor to deliver a range of free digital webinars to their members. The webinars aim to provide insight and skills to facilitate digital success, more information can be found here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hospitality Hub
|
The next Hospitality Hub will be 28th September at the Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne. To find out more about the meeting and work of the Hospitality Hub in general - please visit Hospitality Hub Sep 2023 (yeovilchamber.org)
|
|
|
|
Somerset Skills and Careers Fair
|
This is your opportunity to reach up to 2,000 students from schools and colleges across Somerset and will take place on 10th October at Westlands Entertainment Venue, Westbourne Close, Yeovil, BA20 2DD.
|
Exhibitors will be able to:
• Showcase careers in their organisation and industry
• Share current vacancies for school and college leavers
|
This year organisers are inviting you to inform young people about the skills you require – from technical requirements to key employment skills. This will help them to prepare for a successful move from education to the workplace. Interactive stands are welcome where guests can try quick tasks or challenges related to your industry.
To find out more or book your space please, email Sarah Johnson
|
|
|
|
Institute of Hospitality South West Region Launch Event
|
The Institute of Hospitality is launching a new SW regional group, with a joined-up networking launch event taking place at Sheppy's Cider Ltd on 21st September from 3pm. Details and the booking form can be found here:
|
|
|
|
Somerset Open Studios - Discover Somerset this Autumn!
|
|
Somerset artists have made their final preparations for this autumn’s Somerset Open Studios event. This autumn will see the first full Open Studios event since 2018, with over 300 artists taking part.
|
Discovering what goes on in artists’ studios can be enlightening, surprising and thrilling; a revelation of the magic behind the process and the chance to meet the artist or maker. For both artists and visitors, it’s a chance to forge an enduring relationship and a unique opportunity to find out what lies behind the intrigue of an image or hand-crafted object. It’s also an opportunity for the casual viewer, the curious, to see what goes on behind normally closed studio doors. Artists value the engagement that the event provides; a chance comment or connection can sometimes provide invaluable encouragement.
|
The much-loved Somerset Open Studios Guide returns again, and is now available in cultural centres, libraries and tourist information points across Somerset and beyond, including the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre. Full details are also available on the Somerset Open Studios App, available to download for iPhone and Android, as well as the Open Studios page on the SAW website, with a full Event Calendar, and details about Family Friendly Weekend activities.
|
|
|
|
Somerset & Exmoor Coastal Walking Festival
|
|
The festival isn’t just about walking, the organisers have worked with the local communities to support local events and celebrations, from the Watchet based British Comedy Award-winning writer (Miranda and Not Going Out) and comedian Paul Kerensa taking a whirlwind tour in An Evening of (Very) Old Radio …….. The BBC Year 1 to a delicious Somerset cream tea with a spot of 1950s music and dancing or The Rogues Shanty Band at Porlock Village Hall.
|
|
With over 70 events taking place all along the coast throughout the Festival week, there is something for everyone. All the details can be found here - What’s On section - from artists’ open studios and cider tours, craft gin botanical rambles to Somerset quizzes, pond dipping and porpoise spotting, a Country and Western Festival going on throughout the week, and if you want to give something back why not join one of the beach cleans.
|
|
|
|
In the News...
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to Esme's Escape, whose 1940’s love story inspired Shepherd’s Hut was awarded ‘Best Glamping site in the Southwest 2023’ by Prestige Awards. "Recognition like this makes all the hard work ensuring our guests can rely on a relaxing stay here worthwhile" says Karen
|
|
You can read more about the adventure in their blog.
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations also to the many Somerset businesses that won stars in the recent Great Taste Awards organised by The Guild of Fine Foods. Well done to everyone concerned, particularly The Newt in Somerset – for three stars for their Ice Cyder. Other South Somerset winners are...
|
- Artfarm Ltd t/a Durslade Farm Shop
- Bean Shot Coffee Ltd
- Brown Cow Organics
- Coombe Farm Organic Ltd
- Craft House Chocolate
- Dowding’s
- Perry’s Cider
- The Somerset Cider Brandy Company Ltd
- West Country Water Buffalo
- Old School House Chutneys & Preserves
|
|
|
Focus on ... North Down Orchard
|
|
|
|
North Down Farm is owned and run by father and son team, David and Ross Mangles. David's father, Rob Mangles, bought the Farm in 1966 on retiring from the army. He initially kept pigs, beef cattle and grew oats and barley, but in 1973 he was offered a 30-year contract to grow cider apples for Taunton Cider, so 8000 trees of a dozen varieties were planted in six orchards over the following three years. Most of these trees are still cropping well and have been joined by two new orchards, including many old heritage varieties, some of which are very rare.
|
Now North Down Orchard produces its own cider onsite; the apples are still grown on the farm and then pressed and turned into cider, sold in ‘The Cider Barn’ each Friday when the bar opens. We host guest vendors serving everything from tacos to curry. Each week there is a different vendor and menu along with live music fortnightly.
|
There is also glamping in the 5 fully furnished bell tents and a large camping field. The Cider Barn is available for private hire for weddings and parties.
|
More information about North Down Orchard can be found on their website.
|
|
Please drop me an email if you think your business is extra special and want to feature in this section!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Helpful Links for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses
|
|
|
Anything to contribute?
The tourism newsletter is generally distributed quarterly (March/ Spring,
June/Summer, September/ Autumn and December/ Winter) with additional editions if important and relevant information to share. It is emailed to South Somerset-based businesses on the tourism database and appears on the trade pages of www.visitsouthsomerset.com
|
We love to hear and share your news and success stories, please
email items to VisitSS@Somerset.gov.uk. The deadlines for contributions are...
|
- Mid February for the Spring Edition
- Mid May for the Summer Edition
- Mid August for the Autumn Edition
- Mid November for the Winter Edition
|
|
|
Unsubscribing and your privacy
|
If at any time you wish to unsubscribe to the newsletter and have your details removed from the database, please email VisitSS@Somerset.gov.uk or click the button below.
|
Very occasionally we feel it is appropriate and beneficial to forward emails and newsletters from our partners, please let me know if you would rather not
receive this information.
|
|
   
|
|
|
|
