Member Article

Multi-million pound visitor centre promises growth for Northumberland’s tourism businesses

The final designs have been unveiled for Northumberland’s £11.2 million new landscape discovery centre which is expected to generate £3 million for the local economy and create 140 jobs.

‘The Sill’ at Once Brewed is earmarked for completion in 2017, subject to planning consent, and will act as a hub to drive growth of Northumberland tourism business.

It has been likened to a Sage Gateshead of Northumberland’s tourism industry and aims to provide critical mass for the county’s micro businesses who may not have the resources to heavily market themselves outside of the region.

The project is being coordinated by Northumberland National Park Authority and youth hostel organisation YHA.

Project director Stuart Evans told Bdaily: “What the Sage Gateshead has done for the region in terms of music, The Sill will do for the countryside and environment.

“Many micro businesses in the region don’t have the clout in terms of marketing presence and The Sill will provide a lynchpin for this.

“There will also be room for these businesses to hotdesk from the building. The same strategy has worked really well at our former Rothbury visitor centre, which is now run by Shepherds Walks.

“Business have significantly increased their turnover by being located in a National Park centre and the footfall that comes with it.

“Essentially we’re going to de-risk a lot of things for business, and provide them with better access to the market.”

The Sill will also act as a centre of accreditation for various training schemes designed to add value to the region’s visitor economy.

Stuart added: “Training will be a big part of The Sill’s offering - and that might be training for people who want to build their career in the countryside or businesses who want to add value to what they are already doing.”

75% of the funding for the project has come from Heritage Lottery Funding, the National Park Authority and YHA, and now Stuart is looking for a further £3 million through European funding and philanthropic channels.

Within the next few months The Sill will set up a charity limited by guarantee to manage the funding.

Now Stuart is calling on business to get involved with The Sill and help to determine its strategy, for their own benefit.

Stuart added: “It’s essential that we have key regional partners on board, such as the National Trust, outdoor recreational businesses and those that can help in the supply chain.

“We want to develop the product collectively with the view to benefit the whole region - from the coast to the Carlisle area and up to the National Park area.”

For more information, contact enquiries@thesill.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .