South Yorkshire gains Local Visitor Economy Partnership status

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has welcomed the creation of the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), a collaboration between SYMCA, Sheffield City Council, Doncaster City Council, Rotherham MBC and Barnsley MBC to work together on shared priorities and targets to grow the local visitor economy.

Developed and administered by Visit England, the LVEP programme is one of the key recommendations in the Government’s response to the independent de Bois Review of Destination Management Organisations in England.

The LVEP programme, which will be led by Sheffield City Council, will create a national portfolio of strategic and high-performing partnerships working in collaboration locally, regionally and nationally on shared priorities and targets to support and grow the visitor economy.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Here in South Yorkshire we couldn’t be more proud of our world class music, landscapes, festivals and sport. We’re the birthplace of football and the home of snooker, we powered the Industrial Revolution and have England’s oldest national park. We celebrate art, music and literature like nowhere else.

“And now we have a new opportunity to share our beauty, our history, our culture, and our talent with the rest of our world. Our new Local Visitor Economy Partnership, being developed with the support of Visit England, will give visitors from far and wide the chance to explore and experience South Yorkshire in all its glory. I’m excited to see that partnership develop across all of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.”

SYMCA continues to work in partnership with local and combined authorities across Yorkshire on the Yorkshire Tourism Initiative focused on promoting Yorkshire as a visitor destination. This project is being delivered by Barnsley MBC.

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “It’s fantastic that Visit England has agreed to the Local Visitor Economy Partnership with South Yorkshire. Barnsley is an award-winning place of possibilities and we’ve got so much to offer.

“Culture and heritage are in our roots and places like Elsecar Heritage, Cannon Hall, Cooper Gallery and Worsborough Mill attract people from all over the country. With our varied independents, great places for food and drink, and places to stay, Barnsley is the place to make memories. We look forward to working with our South Yorkshire colleagues to put our area firmly on the map.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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