Decision details
Decision to appoint a consultant to undertake research and evaluation of the Marches Investment Fund Visitor Economy Project
Decision Maker: Director of Economy and Place (Historic)
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
The Herefordshire visitor economy has been
severely impacted by Covid 19 and the resulting lockdown. Tourism
accommodation and attractions, cultural venues, hospitality
businesses, non-essential retailers were instructed by government
to close for circa 3 months during the start of their usual peak
season period. Many of these businesses have then faced a second
period of lockdown in November 2020 This has significantly
threatened the viability of these businesses, and put at risk of
redundancy the large numbers of people they employ.
In May the Marches LEP allocated £444,220 to Herefordshire to
support Covid 19 economic recovery, subject to the development of a
business case. Herefordshire Council in partnership with the
Herefordshire Business Board established and submitted a business
case focussed on supporting the soonest possible recovery of the
visitor economy. Shropshire Council (as the accountable body) on
behalf of the Marches LEP issued a funding offer letter to
Herefordshire Council on the 17th June, and the Cabinet Member for
Environment Economy and Skills took a decision to accept the grant
and implement the project on the 20th June.
Recognising the need to engage with visitor economy businesses to
co-ordinate delivery and to seek relevant expertise, a project
steering group was formed in June 2020.
The business case for the Visitor Economy project identified the
need for research and evaluation of the project that will benchmark
and show the impact of the Visitor Economy project, in particular
of the impact of the marketing and PR campaigns, to evidence return
on investment and to inform future activity.
Contact: Roger Allonby, Service Director Economy and Growth Email: Roger.Allonby@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 260330.
Publication date: 06/04/2021
Date of decision: 06/04/2021
Accompanying Documents: