October is a busy month for you all, if the amount of exciting Halloween events going on is anything to go by. Lancashire continues to show great resilience to create memorable experiences for visitors despite the ongoing staffing challenges and supply shortages.
We are sure that you will be welcoming the announcement in yesterday's Budget of a 50% cut in business rates for hospitality for one year. There will also be some celebrating in the hospitality sector as a cut in beer duty sold on premises and wider reforms that will see alcohol taxed by alcohol volume rather than by product category were also announced.
This month Marketing Lancashire, partnered with Morecambe BID, EDF, Lancaster City Council, and Morecambe Town Council and hosted a Lancashire Climate Change Conference. The passionate speakers at the conference have hopefully inspired Lancashire businesses that attended to consider what can be done to tackle carbon emissions.
We've also held an Application Masterclass for those entering the Lancashire Tourism Awards this year. The closing date is fast approaching, with just under one week left to apply. A recording of the masterclass is available to view by those of you that were unable to join us.
This partner update includes news and opportunities, including an update on Lancashire Day 2021, City of Culture 2025 bid and the latest volume and value of tourism research . We also spotlight two great supplier partners who can potentially add value and support to your own business.
Visit Lancashire News & Opportunities
Tony Attard OBE to step down as Chair of Marketing Lancashire
Successful businessman, Tony Attard OBE DL, founder and Group Chief Executive of Burnley-based Panaz, is stepping down from his role as Chair of Marketing Lancashire after almost six years. Tony has been a fantastic advocate for both Marketing Lancashire as an organisation and for Lancashire as a place. We wish Tony continuing success with his business ventures and thank him for being a passionate ambassador for Lancashire.
The countdown is on!
Just one week until application deadline - 3 November
The biggest and only county-wide celebration of tourism excellence in Lancashire, championing the importance of the £4.4 billion visitor economy.
The competition reveals the brightest and best stars working in Lancashire tourism today, with many of the county’s winners then going on to represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
You only have one week to get your application/s in. Don't miss your chance to be part of it.
Every year on the 27 November we mark Lancashire Day. It commemorates the day in 1295 when Lancashire first sent representatives to Parliament, to attend the Model Parliament of King Edward I.
Be part of the celebration and promotion of all things Lancashire - the place, people, charm, character, food, drink, landscape, business, industry, good times and memories.
Join us on our social media channels: @MarketingLancs #LancashireDay
Impact of Covid-19 on visitor numbers 2020
The annual Lancashire STEAM figures, one of the evaluation tools used by destinations to measure the volume and value of tourism, have been released by Marketing Lancashire.
The figures for 2020 reflect the serious impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the county’s tourism and hospitality businesses. Visitor numbers were down 68.9%, with the economic impact generated down 63.4%.
Lancashire’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025 is looking to evolve in purpose and direction after the DCMS announced this month that the county has not made the longlist of locations through to the final stage of the process.
'The process of bidding has already left a legacy, bringing regional and national media attention to the county, and we intend to build on that profile.'
Tony Attard, Chair of L2025 & Marketing Lancashire
Hosted by an experienced facilitator, a Lancashire peer group will learn from each other, gain insight from private sector experts and improve business performance. Participants will also receive 3.5 hours one-to-one business coaching. The programme is free.
VisitBritain, in collaboration with Selling Savvy, are hosting an interactive virtual workshop to grow your confidence and become an empowered, successful and up-to-date salesperson. This is a workshop full of innovative ideas and quick wins.
The workshop is aimed at proactive and reactive salespeople within hotels and venues. There will be plenty of opportunities for networking with your peers, and Q&A throughout.
If you're glued to the current seasons of Brassic or Cobra, or loved the recent Hairy Bikers Go North programme in Lancashire, you'll notice we're seeing more and more of our wonderful county on the big and small screen. Did you know that you can register your property, business or location on a national database used by location managers for film and TV? With locations normally receiving a fee for its use.
The Shop Lancashire pages on visitlancashire.com are getting a revamp just in time for Christmas. Showcasing the best Lancashire has to offer when it comes to local businesses selling experiences, gifts and produce. Want to be included? Send your product information to elizabeth@marketinglancashire.com - it is completely FREE! These pages will supported by promotion on both Lancashire Day and as part of the Christmas campaign.
We will also be showcasing a Lancashire Christmas across our social media channels.
You can upload your event using the online form HERE
Lancashire Advent Calendar
It's only 8 weeks to go and we are getting excited here preparing for another fantastic Christmas campaign. This year we will be reigniting the Lancashire advent calendar, which received 73,405 page views and thousands of entries in 2019, and this year it is completely free to get involved. There are 24 slots available on a first come first served basis, all you need to do is provide a competition prize. For more information or to get involved please email elizabeth@marketinglancashire.com
Spotlight on Visit Lancashire Supplier Partners
Napthens Solicitors
Napthens now operates a free, dedicated legal and business helpline for Visit Lancashire partners.
Napthens have a team of specialists focused on the leisure and tourism sector. So, whether a pub, a brewery, hotel, restaurant or a supplier, the team’s experience of working with businesses within the sector means they understand the real issues facing leisure industry clients and are able to provide proactive, commercially focused advice.
The helpline gives partners access to an expert who can provide initial advice and guidance to resolve or progress a commercial issue.
A unique, vibrant and wonderfully nostalgic small batch gin. Inspired by the seaside and made with true British spirit, it is expertly distilled and hand crafted using 10 premium botanicals and a single source spirit, produced in the North West of England.
A truly craft product, Blackpool Rock Gin painstakingly hand label and bottle every gin. Wonderful base gin, is made using the London Dry standard. Then a little Blackpool Rock is added from one of the oldest rock factories in Blackpool. After some technical wizardry and very fine filtering, you are left with a lovely, subtly sweet, Blackpool Rock Gin.
