Agenda and minutes

Vicky Martin and staff of Aston Hotel gave a guided tour of the hotel and its facilities.

                 Chaired by Aston Hotel Sheffield Rotherham

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager RMBC, thanked everyone for attending the Forum and introductions were made.

                 Nationally              Regionally            Locally

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, gave an update and summary of a report which had been completed in June 2008 to recommend a number of items to the Department of Culture Media and Sport regarding the review of tourism and the delivery by VisitBritain.  Handouts highlighting the main issues were distributed (copy attached to the minutes).

Reference was made to the various assessment methods used to value how much the visitor economy in Rotherham was worth, and their varying results,

Concern was expressed that 80% of employers in the sector did not know how to access funding/training etc to support staff.  It was reported that MAGNA was offering some free training.  Members of the Forum agreed that ways of providing this information, and of contacting members, needed to be explored.

              Mark Scott, Rotherham Civic Theatre – the changes ahead

Mark Scott, Principal Officer, Theatre and Arts, updated members of the Forum about the changes that were happening to the theatres and arts within the Borough.

He explained that as part of the regeneration of the town centre the Central Library and Arts Centre would be lost.  In the interim the Civic Theatre would be used.

It was planned that there would be a new theatre within the town centre as part of the Cultural Quarter.  The new facility would comprise 2 theatres (a main house and a studio), library, archives, art gallery, café etc on the waterfront.

Reference was made to the fact that the Civic Theatre was very much community based and thus unique.

In the meantime alternative ways of providing access to theatre and the arts were being explored e.g. outdoor theatre, use of other venues.

Any members of the Forum that could offer a venue were asked to contact Mark (Mark Scott, Principal Officer, Theatres and Arts; ( 01709 823641 or email:  mark.scott@rotherham.gov.uk)

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager RMBC, explained to Members the restructuring of the Rotherham Tourism Service.  The Service had been merged into the Events and Promotions Team.  Day to day management of the Visitor Centre had been taken over by Janet Fletcher, Assistant Events & Promotions Service Manager, with Joanne maintaining a strategic overview of tourism.

Staff included:-

Visitor Centre Assistants:-  Jayne Solitt, Sarah Watson, Sandra Ibbotson and

Laura Houlton

Tourism Officer:-  Michelle Mellor (due to commence maturnity leave 16th October, 2008)

              Including new Merchandise/brochure

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager RMBC, provided an update on what had been happening since April, 2008.

Accommodation establishments:- 2 new ones had been set up – The Old Police House and Aston Hotel.

YES project at Pithouse West, Rother Valley Country Park:-  had been given the go ahead.

New businesses:- 3 more had been set up.

Quality Assessments:-   3 grants had been issued

International Links Committee:-  Rotherham was twinned with St. Quentin, in NE France;  The Leader and Chief Executive headed up the Committee, which developed links to schools, clubs, and a leading supermarket to exchange information etc  Representatives from St. Quentin had a stand at the recent Rotherham Show, and Rotherham had been asked to do something similar in St. Quentin.

Promotional activity - update:-

-                      A new visitor and accommodation guide had been published

-                      Food Guide for South Yorkshire - from Business Link

-                      South Yorkshire  Attractions Guide – SEE

Access Guide:-  it was reported that this was out of date and needed to be updated.  Members of the Forum would receive their existing sheets back for updating.  Forms were available for new members should they wish to be included.

Heritage Open Days:- the Tourism Service had promoted this event for the 1^st time this year and produced a leaflet, including over 20 attractions.  The open days were also advertised via the website.  Feedback had been very positive and it was considered very good value for money for the investment made.  David Bliss and Anne Hicks added that from the Minster’s point of view the event had been a great success and reported that the Chapel on the Bridge had been used as the venue for the Yorkshire launch.  

Local Residents’ Campaign:-  it was explained that this initiative aimed to encourage people, their friends and relatives, to visit local attractions during the off-peak time in November.  To date 7 attractions and 4 accommodation providers had expressed an interest.  Discount vouchers and 2 for 1 offers would be included in a leaflet which would be included in the new Community Newspaper and in Rotherham Advertiser.

Walking Festival:-  it was reported that over 1,000 people took part.  Results from the customer satisfaction survey showed that 95% of participants thought the event was excellent.

Signage:-  4 tourist information points were found in storage and needed locating.  One had been agreed with the owner to be located at Parkgate.

Rotherham in Bloom:-  judging was now complete and a presentation event hosted by the Mayor was to be held on 23^rd September.

Events and Exhibitions:- 

-                      Group Travel Exhibition with YST

-                      Production of a new attractions guide with YST

-                      Domestic campaign for the UK and for the overseas market with YST

-                      Business tourism with YST

-                      Thorpe Salvin Garden Trail – presence to promote other venues

-                      Rother Valley Country Park:-  Triathlon and Party in the Park

-                      Rotherham Show

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

              Ideas for contacts and suppliers of local goods/services that everyone can use.  (Please bring a list of your contacts to pass on.)

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager RMBC, explained the idea of compiling a data base of local produce, local suppliers and local services which establishments could use as they were seen as key to supporting the local economy.  Reference was made to the Council’s Buy Local Scheme.  It was thought that Rotherham Chamber could play a major role in developing the idea.

Merchandise at the Visitor Centre now included Rae jewellery, recipe greeting cards.  Databox had also been installed so the Visitor Centre was able to selling theatre tickets

Also Swinton Lock Activity Centre provided a base for 14 local artists and crafts people whose works were for sale.

Reference was made to Tony’s Riverside Butcher and to products available at Wentworth Craft Centre.

Copies of the Good Food Directory produced by Business Link were distributed.

Reference was also made to:-

-                      Deliciously Yorkshire Campaign which related to locally sourcing breakfast items.

-                      Oldcoates Eggs

-                      Wickersley Honey

-                      Wentworth Beer

-                      Yorkshire Crisps

-                      Farmers’ Markets

-                      Oakwood Beer Festival

-                      Use of Allotments

-                      Yorkshire Cheese (from Ilkley)

-                      Doncaster Fish Market

Members of the Forum referred to:-

(i)  Rotherham Minster, Chapel on the Bridge - Heritage Open days

Anne Hicks referred to valuable training for volunteers provided at Source to assist with work to package their attraction.

Reference was made to:-

-                      Back to Church Sundays

-                      Rotherham Minster – “jewel of the town”

-                      Background and brief history of Rotherham Churches Tourism Initiative

-                      Family history society

-                      Archives and genealogy

(ii)                           Chesterfield Canal Partnership

Stuart Reaney reported that the Partnership was planning a major event for 23^rd to 25^th May, 2009 at Kiveton Waters with a campaign/rally of the Inland Waterways authority.

(iii)                         Elton Hotel

Peter Keary reported that the hotelhad applied for Green Tourism Award.

(iv)                          The Old Police House, Upper Haugh

Lynda Baker thanked the Tourism staff for their help in setting up her self catering accommodation at Upper Haugh

(v)   Magna

Joanne Edley reported that representatives from Magna were attending the Sheffield Hospitality Awards and that Magna had been entered for the White Rose Awards

(vi)  Carlton Park

Kevin Saville reported that the hotel was likely to remain closed until January 2009 whilst under going a major refurbishment.  Staff training was on-going.

Joanne Edley and Kevin Saville agreed to compile a training programme including visits to attractions.

(vii)  Tourism representatives to the Council’s Tourism Panel

Joanne reminded Forum Members of the Tourism representatives to the Council’s Tourism Panel (contact details attached).

Caroline Wilson, Yorkshire South Tourism, Partnerships Manager, gave a  PowerPoint presentation on the Yorkshire Visitor Survey 2008/2009 – Summary results May to August 2008.

Caroline explained that this was a region wide Visitor Survey and was being carried out by QA Research.  The survey would involve 10,000 face to face interviews to be carried out May 2008 to April 2009  re: perceptions of the area;  why visitors come;  what they spend;  why they might come back;  and

500 interviews in the Rotherham area plus a supplementary on-line survey.

The Method – Sample for Yorkshire South involved 875 in South Yorkshire which equalled 22% of those throughout Yorkshire

The Profile of Type of Visitors showed that of those surveyed 84% were day visitors and this was higher for Yorkshire South than most other areas.  6% stayed in accommodation in Yorkshire area or with friends or relatives

Size of the party/group type:-   this averaged = 3.5 people for Yorkshire South, of which a large proportion (34%) were family groups.  Other areas averaged approx. 25%.  It was noted that the location of surveys had included Canon Hall and Magna.

Sources of information:-  the categories of previous experience; local knowledge; recommendation were strong influences.  Use of the Internet and websites was also increasing.

How had people booked – sources of information:-  statistics were showing 21% booked directly with the provider and 21% via the internet and 29% vua accommodation provider website.  This statistic was showing how important it was for establishments to keep their websites up to date.

Type of Overnight stay:-  most people stayed in hotel accommodation.  Of interest was 9% who stayed in a caravan or camping.  It was thought these people were staying on the edge of the Peak District.

Rating of Accommodation:-   most stayed in 3* or 4* accommodation emphasising the need for accommodation to be QA’d

Likelihood of return in the next 2 years/recommendation:  for Yorkshire South this was 91%

Aspects most enjoyed:  10% said scenery/countryside

Summary conclusions:-

•         A higher proportion of older age groups were attracted to the region compared to the UK average.

•         Yorkshire South attracted higher proportions of day visitors (84%) and family groups (34%).

•         A higher proportion of day visitors (64%) than the UK average were attracted to the region. There is economic potential to increase overnight stays in other areas.

•         Sources of information tended to be based on previous experience and recommendation. However the internet was seen as an important source for first-time visitors and overseas visitors.  A large proportion of staying paid accommodation visitors used the internet to book online (33%).

•         High satisfaction levels were achieved for the majority of product areas.  Overall satisfaction levels remain high for overall impression and accommodation.

Full results could be found on www.yorkshiretouristboard.net/research

It was interesting to note that very few people obtained their information from visitor guides and that more people were using the internet.  This statistic was suggesting that money was better spent on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

A joint meeting is proposed with Barnsley Partners in January 2009.

Location:-  Barnsley - to be confirmed

Date and Time:-  to be confirmed

Joanne Edley, Tourism Manager, explained that the next meeting would be held jointly with Barnsley partners in January, 2009.

Preliminary arrangements had been made as follows:-

DATE:             Tuesday, 27th January 2009

TIME:              4pm - 6pm

VENUE:         Lu Corum

Forum Members were invited to submit items for the agenda to Joanne.