The visitor economy has been the worst effected sector by Covid 19, required to close for long periods of lockdown, losing income during periods of peak season. The council’s Covid 19 Recovery Plan identified a need to support the soonest possible recovery of the visitor economy through a marketing and PR campaign promoting opportunities for staycation visits into the autumn of 2021 and spring of 2022, building on a successful early phase of activity funded by the Marches LEP.

Following cabinet’s approval of the Covid Recovery Plan, the council has procured PR, Marketing and Media agencies to deliver the proposed project in accordance with the contract procedure rules.

This decision relates to the appointment of Hello Starling who have been openly procured to lead on the media element of the campaign. This includes the purchasing of appropriate advertising (social media, TV, print etc) targeting the counties key visitor markets.