Big push starts here to bring in tourists to Ludlow in 2013 (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Big push starts here to bring in tourists to Ludlow in 2013

12:40pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News By Adrian Kibbler

MAJOR initiatives have already started to boost Ludlow’s credentials as a tourist destination.

The old year had not ended when more than 1,000 events calendars for 2013 were distributed to people in the town.

Ludlow is also intent on securing the national Walkers are Welcome accreditation.

A team including town councillors Graeme Perks and Priscilla Toop were in the Market Square for the meeting of the Boxing Day hunt.

They handed out more than 1,000 of the Ludlow Events calendar for 2013 to people including both locals and visitors.

“Our objective is to make sure that as many people as possible know what is going on in the town so that they can put the events and other activities into their diaries at the beginning of the year,” said Graeme.

“This is the first time that we have got the calendar widely distributed so early.”

Almost 1,000 copies are also being made available from Ludlow Castle.

But the big new initiative will be for Ludlow to join nearly 100 other towns in the UK with Walkers are Welcome status.

It is an idea that started in 2006 in Hebden Bridge in the Pennines and there are now nearly 100 towns and villages including the other south Shropshire market towns of Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer and Bishop’s Castle.

Accreditation involves a number of criteria including support from the town council.

However, the local council cannot be the controlling body and this is expected to be put into the hands of either Ludlow Chamber of Trade or an independent committee.

There must also be a plan to ensure that walking facilities are well maintained and the intention is to involve Skill Builders – an initiative that provides training to young people in craft and artisan activities.

The group will look after the repair of stiles and footpath gates.

There also needs to be a publicity programme and the proper signposting of footpaths.

Accreditation will enable the town to use a special logo on its promotional material and also to be part of a national publicity network.

It is claimed that the economy of Walkers are Welcome towns is given a boost and in Church Stretton an annual walking festival with national status has been established.

Despite one of the worst summers on record Ludlow recorded a record number of visitors between April and September.

“Ludlow is already starting from a strong foundation and this will only help further,”

added Graeme.