Agenda and minutes

Forum Members were given a brief tour of the Museum prior to the meeting.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, welcomed Forum Members and introductions were made.

 

The Museum staff were thanked for the tour and for providing refreshments.

Guest Speaker - Bernadette Burbridge, BBC.

Bernadette Burbridge, BBC, Screen Manager, gave a presentation and spoke about Rotherham town centre’s BBC Big Screen.

 

Reference was made to:-

 

•         Why it was in All Saints Square

•         What it was trying to achieve

•         Content e.g. ballet/opera;  live BBC TV programmes;  Rotherham news, sport & travel; “ What’s on?” diary; community information

•         Size

•         Use in conjunction with other town centre events e.g. Rotherham by the Sea

•         Arts Programme:-  to encourage and support local artists, as well as regional, national and international

•         Community films – professional and amateur; schools, universities and colleges

•         Screening of live events

•         Interactivity e.g. scoring a goal

•         What the screen can do for local tourism businesses/attractions etc

•         Future programmes & development:-  partnership with RCAT and Thomas Rotherham; Olympiad 2012; Last Night of the Proms; China Day; Royal Ballet – Romeo & Juliet; Churches Pentecost

 

Feedback from participants at previous event confirmed that the screen had created an interest in the town centre.

 

Forum Members raised the following issues:-

 

•         Information about the schedule of events

 

The schedule of events was published on the Council’s website;  advertised in local press and on the local radio.

 

Joanne and Bernadette agreed to send fliers out to those on the mailing list.

 

•         Where could Bernadette be contacted:

 

Bernadette was based in the Visitor and Information Centre, 40 Bridgegate, Rotherham.  S60 1PQ.  ( 01709 336886 (available 2 - 3 days/week)

 

•         Links with Rotherham’s twin town St. Quentin  and Europe Day

 

Natalie Hunter pointed out that St. Quentin also staged a “By the Sea” event and asked if the two events could be linked.  She also referred to the Europe Day Quizz.

 

Natalie and Bernadette agreed to meet to discuss possible links/streaming of content.

 

•         Could content be streamed out to the districts via Broadband e.g to Dinninton?

 

Bernadette agreed to discuss the possibility of a link with her technical manager.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, reminded Forum Members, of the nominated Industry Representatives, pointing out that Matthew Beck and Bernard Jones were present.

 

It was emphasised that Elected Members and Council officers were keen to receive feedback from the sector.

Marie Hayes, Events & Promotions Service Manager, reported on the Council’s restructure of the Tourism Service and its amalgamation into Culture and Leisure Services.

 

The benefits included better linkages and use of services such as marketing, design and press.  The restructure would also enable the service to deliver more town centre events and more promotion of tourism.

 

Reference was made to the installation of Databox in the Visitor and Information Centre for the sale of theatre tickets, and hopefully tickets for other events and venues.

 

The combined services would be located in the Visitor and Information Centre once alternative accommodation had been found for the Town Centre Management team.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, spoke about the on-going work to review the Tourism Plan.  Reference was made to the input from Forum Members at the previous meeting.

 

Copies of the final draft were distributed and Joanne asked Forum Members to feedback any further comments to her within the next two weeks.

 

Reference was made to previous economic impact studies in relation to how much tourism was worth to the economy in Rotherham:-

 

2005 - £250m

2006 - spend was higher at £324m

2007 - £312m – this was due to reduced spend across the UK and flooding issues

 

Reference was also made to the various models used to do the calculations e.g. STEAM, Cambridge Model and the study being undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University using major SY attractions as key indicators which was currently in the development stages.

 

It was emphasised that this was an important piece of work as Yorkshire Forward was using Yorkshire South Tourism as a model of partnership working and could potentially double the amount of money available for tourism.

 

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, reported on the draft Visitor Economy Plan which was proposed to cover the period 2008-2011.  However, it was pointed out that within the industry it was more usual for such a plan to cover a five year period.

 

The model being used would be the one developed at the Sustainability Conference which was held in 2007.  The current draft was being reviewed by the Council’s Sustainability Officer to ensure that this model was in line with the requirements of Objective 1.

 

The draft document would be sent out for consultation.

Clare Trueman, Visitor Centre Co-ordinator, reported on the following:-

 

Footfall:-  April 07 to March 08 = 69,442 (target was 68,000)

 

BABAH (Book a Bed Ahead Scheme):-  April 07 to March 08 = 47 (30 of which were local & placed in Rotherham accommodation;  16 were out going in the UK;  1 was in coming)

 

Web Sales:-  on-going research through the Website partnership with RBT and YST to see if an e-shop was possible for Rotherham merchandise.

 

Merchandise:-  partnership with Rotherham United including promotion and press releases etc.  Sales went well over Christmas.  Stocks were currently low.

Michelle Mellor, Assistant Tourism Officer, reported on the following:-

 

New developments:-

 

The YES Project:-  Sheffield Steelers had signed up at Rother Valley.  The outline proposal included a 3¬ and 4¬ hotel, retail and food.

 

Aston Hotel, Britannia Way at the Business Park was due to open later this month

 

WathManvers – new development included a hotel (to open in 2009) and some leisure development around the lake.

 

RMBC’s 4 new Leisure Centres:-  at Wath, Aston and Town Centre – due to open in the Autumn of 2008, with Maltby due to open next year.

 

New Self Catering Establishment:-  Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Old Police House, Upper Haugh – signed up to Yorkshire South Tourism.  The Tourism Service had provided assistance with the accommodation assessment process.

 

New Guest Accommodation:- Plough Inn, West Melton – undertaking refurbishment which includes 6 bedrooms and conference facilities – due to open in the Summer.

 

Swallownest– new guest accommodation coming on line later this year – 6 beds all en suite.

 

Boston Castle and Park:-  A Heritage Lottery Bid is due to be submitted in September for the redevelopment including an extension.  The proposals will include a visitor centre, conference facility and a unique wedding venue.  It is envisaged that the venue will work with some of the accommodation providers close by on wedding packages.

 

Aston Hall Hotel:-  6 new rooms opened in Darcy House. A further 29 bed extension to be opened in July 08.

 

Fitzwilliam Arms, Parkgate:-  extra 20 bedrooms.  The Tourism Service had provided advice and information about its classification i.e. public house accommodation or hotel.

 

Carlton Park Hotel and Leisure:-  refurbishment works including £3m new leisure facilities, and a further £1m of works.

 

Holiday Inn:-  40 bedroom extension received planning approval

 

Tropical Butterfly House:-  refurbished play area, extension to patio area and animal enclosures.

 

Phoenix Hotel:-  refurbishment.  A meeting is to be arranged with Caroline Wilson, Yorkshire South Tourism, to discuss grant aid for assessment.

 

Publications:-

 

Walking Festival brochure

Visitor and Accommodation Guide

 

Events:

 

Walking Festival 2008:-  40 events, including Boats and Boots in conjunction with Chesterfield Canal Partnership, and 14 new walks

 

Rotherham in Bloom competition:- w/c 21^st July.  4 categories:-

(i)  Town Centre business   (ii)  hospitality and tourism    (iii)  villages and    (iv)  ecclesiastical/places of worship

 

Prizes included free advertising space, certificate, trophy, garden centre vouchers.

 

RotherValley Triathlon:-  31^st May/1^st June:-  run, cycle, swim – 7 events.  Free (but car park charge).  Registration Information on www.onestepbeyond.org.uk

 

Continental Market – Rotherham town centre – 29^th to 31^st May:- 

 

Big Screen Event   Royal Opera House – Romeo and Juliet – 1^st June, 2008 @ 2.30 p.m:-  free event;  local entertainment; pre-order picnic hampers available; food and drink available at the event.

 

Rotherham Show 6^th & 7^th September, 2008 – Clifton Park:-  trade stands available (contact Marie Hayes or Kate Moreman)

 

Heritage Open  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

Caroline Wilson, Yorkshire South Tourism, detailed work of the partnership:-

 

Exhibitions attended:-

 

-                      Confex – 332 new clients;  £1.5m worth of direct enquiries;  20 press interviews.  Voted UK Best Destination

-                      National Venues Show  - September 07

-                      IMEX in Frankfurt

-                      EIBTM in Barclona

-                      Northern Events Show

 

Other marketing activities:-

 

-                      New conference guide launch, supported by a website

 

-                      Familiarisation trips for buyers and journalists

 

-                      PR and press campaigns

 

-                      Ambassador Scheme launched at Hallam and extending to Sheffield University to encourage academics to bring to the Yorkshire South Area conferences and meetings for associations they belong to.  The scheme is being rolled out to the SY Chambers and the private sector.

 

Leisure:  Marketing Collateral:-

 

-                      Group Travel Guide published

-                      Visitor Guide – to be published 21/4/08

-                      Day Visitor Guide – to be published May 08  (copies available from Caroline)

 

Exhibitions for Leisure Tourism:-

 

-                      Dublin Holiday World

-                      FITUR in Madrid

-                      Bolton Great Days Out – February 08

-                      British Travel Trade Fair

-                      Harrogate  - April 08

-                      Tatton Park – July 08

-                      International Leisure – NEC – Sept 08

 

Other activities:-

 

-                      Familiarisation trip for coach operators – June 08

-                      Advertising and Pr to trade and press, including competition

-                      Follow up of enquiries from exhibitions attended

-                      Meetings to promote South Yorkshire as a destination with Whizzair

-                      Working with Yorkshire Tourist Board and VisitBritain

 

Website:-

 

Data from regional database now stitched in and live – www.Visitrotherham.org

 

YS.com – recorded 341,000 hits this year including from UK, USA and Belgium

 

Guestlink:-

 

28 businesses actively offer on-line bookability through the system.  These businesses are receiving bookings and have enhanced status on YS.com.

 

Being used by Tourist Information Centres and generated £400 worth of bookings.

 

Businesses were encouraged to keep their information up to date on this system.

 

15 people attended training sessions to end of March – Caroline offered further free training for any organisation.

 

Partnership Schemes:-

 

130 businesses signed up

17 accommodation providers from Rotherham area

 

It was pointed out that £95 ensured listing on the website and included YTB membership.

 

Benefits of YST membership:-

 

-                      Entry on to website

-                      Enhanced entry in Guide

-                      Gold Level Membership of YTB – free

-                      Opportunity to benefit from grants

-                      Benefit from training April/May on growing your business (free if 15 businesses signed up)

 

Events supported by YST included:-

 

-                      BUSA Games

-                      Rother Valley Triathlon

-                      Galvanize Festival, Sheffield

-                      Walking with Dinosaurs

-                      Vivienne Westwood Exhibition

 

Research:-

 

Visitor Satisfaction Survey with YTB sampling points were needed and Caroline would be contacting various attractions re:  venues.

Economic Impact Survey with Sheffield Hallam University –

 

Reference was made to other similar surveys e.g. YTB’s and which had the most value.  It was thought that as much information as possible was needed to ensure the extra funding from Yorkshire Forward.

 

Questions from Forum Members:-

 

•         Had there been any progress in respect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

(1)  Matthew Back, MAGNA, reported on:-

 

Free Training:- Free Training. Arising from the YS conference there is potentially free training opportunities for tourism businesses in South Yorkshire covering all aspects of training even courses such as First Aid, Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, which have never been funded before. Anyone interested should contact Matthew Beck on mbeck@magnatrust.co.uk

 

It was proposed to run a pilot and then if successful to roll out a programme of training.

 

Any one from the sector who was interested should speak to Matthew.

 

Yorkshire Business Tourism Awards:-   Magna had won the best large venue award.

 

Magna:-

 

-   the centre had lost its inflatable restaurant.  Discussions were taking place with the loss adjuster about funding for a new facility in 2009.

 

-  Eye 4 Colour – this would close at the end of the school summer holiday

 

-  Magna - Hallam FM and its sister stations in Yorkshire are using Magna as its attraction as part of their £1000 song promotion they have just launched.

 

-  corporate business:-  this had shown a 20% growth to £1.74m with spin-off for the local hotels

 

(2)                Vicky -  Aston Hotel

 

Vicky reported that the opening of the new hotel was on schedule for 21^st April, 2008.

 

(3)                Natalie Hunter, RMBC International Links

 

(i)                 Delegation from Seocho City, South Korea

 

Natalie reported that Rotherham will be hosting 11 people from South Korea, from Seocho City, a suburb of Seoul – the purpose of the visit is to find out about how the Council delivers services such as economic development, regeneration, sustainability, housing and tourism and leisure.

 

Various tours and meetings were scheduled including Magna, and the local Chambers of Commerce would be hosting them and introducing them to businesses.

 

She highlighted the opportunity to create a more permanent link.

 

(ii)               Music for Citizens

 

Natalie reported that due to funding and timescale issues this had been postponed until 2009.

There were no other questions from the Forum Members.

Date to be confirmed – September 2008

Venue:-  Aston Hotel, Rotherham/Sheffield

Vicky  Martin offered the new Aston Hotel as the venue for the next meeting.

 

The following date was put forward:-

 

THURSDAY, 18^TH SEPTEMBER, 2008 at 4.00 p.m.

 

Vicky and Joanne would discuss and finalise arrangements.