Businesses called on to support making Beverley 'even better'

Residents, businesses and organisations in Beverley have been urged to show their support a new drive to promote the East Yorkshire town.

The call came at the launch of ‘Destination Beverley’, a new independent partnership launched to help drive visitor numbers, footfall and spend in the town.

Destination Beverley is made up of representatives of the town’s attractions, Beverley Racecourse and Beverley Minster, as well as the Flemingate centre, traders and individuals.

The launch event, held at East Riding College in Beverley, heard Destination Beverley’s agenda summed up by the key themes of Visit, Spend, Stay and Enjoy.

Destination Beverley’s aim is to drive visits and return visitors to Beverley; increase spending with the town’s businesses and attractions; encourage people to stay in Beverley so they spend more time and money in the town; and support initiatives to ensure a great experience for visitors.

Sally Iggulden, chair of Destination Beverley and chief executive of Beverley Racecourse, told guests representing a broad range of businesses, organisations and community groups: “We want to work together with local people, groups and organisations so that we fulfil a broad agenda and don’t duplicate the excellent work already being carried out. It’s all about having a joined-up approach to creating an even better Beverley.

“To make this work and create an even better Beverley, we need to all work together. This evening you will all be presented with a badge of honour. I would like to invite all of you present to be our first chosen ambassadors for Beverley. Wear your badge wherever you go and, when people ask you about it, tell them just what it means to you to represent Beverley.

“I want you to all think about why you love living here, or working here, or why you have your business based here … what makes it such a special place and why have you chosen Beverley above all other places? Encourage others around you – work colleagues, friends and family – to join in and spread the word.”

Sally added: “We have all been busy marketing our own businesses in Beverley, spending lots of money and reaching a fair amount of people, but this is the first time the main visitor attractions have sat round a table and formed a partnership.

“The combined passion and joined-up thinking is what will really drive the objectives of Destination Beverley.”

Fellow Board member David Bird, owner of Beverley business Carol Bird Interiors in the town’s Georgian Quarter, revealed Destination Beverley had linked up with Spacehive, a crowdfunding platform which has helped fund more than 250 projects across the UK since 2012.

The link-up would be focused on enabling the funding and delivery of projects that enhance the experience of visitors to Beverley, such as an initiative led by the Beverley Renaissance Partnership to install “information towers” at key locations to guide people around the town.

He added: “The partnership with Spacehive is one way that Destination Beverley can help the town prosper and, by doing so, improve the local community and the lives of the residents of Beverley.

“Destination Beverley will work with Spacehive to promote Beverley-based projects that residents would like to bring to fruition. We will promote these and others via our website, social media channels and media coverage.

“We may also choose to donate directly to a project and we have funds to do exactly that. I would urge local people to support these projects to help to make them a success.”

The Destination Beverley launch also featured the first showing of a new video showcasing Beverley and the launch of the new Destination Beverley website, as well as keynote speeches by Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, and Rick Bailey, chief executive of Daniel Thwaites Plc, the company redeveloping the Beverley Arms Hotel.

Sir Gary said Beverley was one of Yorkshire’s “jewels in the crown” as it was rich in history and heritage, had two stunning churches, a thriving town centre full of independent retailers, a new, contemporary shopping centre, a racecourse and so much more.

“You’ve got all the ingredients to give visitors a fantastic time, whether they come for a day, a weekend or longer,” he said. “I can’t imagine anybody coming to Beverley and leaving disappointed.”

He added: “The one word I would use to sum up Beverley is ‘authentic’ and people are looking for authenticity in their lives, across the world, but particularly in our country and in this county. They want things that are real – real scenery; real food and drink; real, genuine people.

“Beverley is incredibly authentic. There’s lots of places around the country who would love to change places with you and would say ‘we wish we had all of that’.”

Sally Iggulden said Destination Beverley already had financial commitment from Beverley Building Society, Beverley Racecourse and Wykeland Group and was looking for further commercial partners to support its vision.

She concluded: “Destination Beverley does need funding to make it a sustainable long-term venture and we will be calling on the business sector to join us on this journey. We believe in creating a better Beverley and we very much hope you do too.”

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