Ryedale District Council has been offered a grant of over £50,000 from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to encourage visitors to the area to support local businesses, attractions, events and festivals in the 5 market towns of Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Pickering, Malton and Norton.
Cllr Linda Cowling, Leader of Ryedale District Council said
“The Town Councils and local businesses have already been working together for two years on a number of small scale projects to help visitors make the most out of their stay in Ryedale and to spend their holiday money on local products and services. This programme will enable us to scale up these projects and have a bigger impact, bringing more money into the local economy. “
The programme, lasting two years will focus on 4 projects;
- Walking and Cycling promotion in and between the towns
- Business to Business mentoring and collaboration, particularly focusing on digital marketing.
- Improved circulation of visitors between the towns – maximising the benefit of their close proximity and differing unique selling points, including major events.
- Links with locally produced food and drink supply chains.
“Kirkbymoorside has taken part in all the joint activity to date” said Cllr Ashworth, Mayor of Kirkbymoorside “The Towns all have so much to offer visitors and joining together makes sense to drive up visitor spend, which will boost the local economy to everyone’s benefit”.
The programme will start in January 2017, with the recruitment of a project manager to support local delivery. In the mean time, businesses interested in joining in any of the activity should contact Jos Holmes, Economy and Community Manager at the Council, 01653 6020666 ext 240 or jos.holmes@ryedale.gov.uk, to get involved.