Rye Visitor Management Strategy

A comprehensive Visitor Management Strategy devised for a town of 4,000 which attracts nearly 1m visitors per annum.  The proposals incorporated gateway features, tourism signage, visitor orientation and information, interpretation, environmental improvements and urban design initiatives.

The study included desk research, extensive consultations and site appraisal culminating in public meetings and an exhibition of the proposals.

North Nottinghamshire Tourism Development Strategy

An innovative Tourism Development Strategy for North Nottinghamshire providing a blueprint for tourism development to maximise the potential of the area.  It established a hierarchy of provision including a major new attraction and/or a second holiday village (similar to Center Parcs), a series of medium sized attractions, making the most of existing attractions and facilities and developing the tourism infrastructure comprising accommodation, food and drink and speciality retail.

The Strategy has been used for the last 6 years as the basis of funding applications and investment decisions and has been monitored by a Tourism Development Group.

Isle of Arran Archaeology/Sustainable Tourism Strategy

Undertook a comprehensive review of Arran’s Archaeological Heritage and developed a strategy for maximising its cultural, recreational, economic, community and tourism potential. The work included extensive site appraisal, consultations  and desk research to prepare the strategy which was accepted by Historic Scotland, Cunningham District Council and Argyle and Islands Enterprise Company.

The strategy led on to three further assignments:

The design and erection of gates to restrict access into King’s Caves (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) which had been suffering vandalism (an inaccessible site on the west coast of Arran)

The design and construction of a new path system linking a new car park at Mackrie Moor to King’s Cave

The design and development of the key recommendations of the strategy – the Arran Discovery Centre located close to the standing stones at Mackrie Moor.  The scheme successfully secured funding but was aborted upon receipt of tenders following local government reorganisation.

Doon Valley Tourism Strategy

This is an outstanding rural landscape stretching from the Ayrshire coast to the Southern Uplands beyond Loch Doon.  The proposals comprise an integrated strategy for tourism development with detailed Action Plan including product development, visitor services, tourism infrastructure, tourism marketing and environmental improvements.  To facilitate increased access to the countryside and effective long term management Ian proposed the designation of a Regional Park which has recently been accepted by East Ayrshire Council.  This led on to:

Preparing the bid for Dalmellington Scottish Book Town – although it was unsuccessful they are making significant progress towards their objectives

Preparation of an EU bid for the development of Chalmerston Forest (one of the projects emanating from the Strategy).

Rufford Country Park (including Visitor Management Plan)

The preparation of a Vision and Development Strategy for the Park (1997) which addresses the total visitor experience from the moment the visitor decides to visit until they leave satisfied, eager to return and to tell their friends.  The Plan was approved and has been largely implemented.  Subsequently Ian prepared a Visitor Management Plan and Marketing Strategy together with funding applications to take the proposals forward into the new Millennium.  Finally, Ian managed the preparation of a £5m Stage 1 HLF bid for the restoration of the historic landscape.

Stanwick Archaeological and Environmental Centre (Northamptonshire)

Preparation of a Vision and Development Strategy, with the assistance of a ‘design team’, for a new countywide Archaeological Store and Raunds Gallery which would store and present the extensive collections from the archaeological digs in the Nene Valley at Raunds that represent the evidence of 5000 years of human habitation as well as the environment story. 

Subsequently reviewed the potential to establish and develop the store at Chesters Farm on the A43 near Wellingborough.

Trades Hall of Glasgow Trust

Assisted with the preparation of a funding strategy for the restoration of a Grade A Robert Adam building in the Merchant City of Glasgow including Marketing Strategy and funding bids.  This culminated in a £500,000 Stage 1 grant from Heritage Lottery Fund which is being matched by £600,000 from other sources.  The project sought to restore the built fabric and widen the use of the building to ensure its long term sustainability.  Subsequently assisted the Trust to open the facility to the public at Easter 2004 producing Business Plan, Operational Management Plan and Marketing Strategy.

Thrapston Community Project

Commissioned by East Northamptonshire Council to work with the Council and the local community-based Plaza Trust to develop proposals for a new £3m swimming pool and community hall to serve the needs of an expanding community.  The work included preparing a vision, design brief, Sports Development Plans and Business Plan culminating in grant applications to the Sports Lottery Fund and others.  We subsequently assisted the Plaza Trust with their Business Plan and Operational Management issues and with fundraising for the fit out of the project.  The new facility was built and is very successful.

Dunstable and Whipsnade Downs Gateway Centre

Development of Vision and Phased Strategy for the establishment of a Gateway Centre for the Northern Chilterns.  The area, which attracts around 750,000 visits per annum, is located adjacent to the urban conurbation of Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis which is subject to major growth.  The original visitor facilities were inadequate and the site was not achieving its potential.  The project comprised:

Restoration and effective management of the chalk downland

Sensitive recreation management of the site enhancing the network of footpaths and bridleways, improving public access and managing the hang-gliding, paragliding and kite flying more effectively

Developing an innovative interpretive programme

Developing an extensive education programme including an outreach service to schools in the socially deprived parts of the conurbation

Establishing a wide ranging community outreach initiative embracing the deprived communities to develop realistic links between town and countryside.

The Vision and Strategy was approved by the partnership.  This was followed by a detailed Options Appraisal to assess the most appropriate location of the visitor centre.  This has culminated in an application to the Open Space Fund and grant of £1.5m being given by ODPM to implement the proposals.  Ian wrote the brief for the new centre which has now been built and opened.

Flavel Centre Dartmouth

Preparation of Vision, Development Strategy and Business Plan for a new £2m community facility in Dartmouth to be developed by the Flavel Trust comprising multi-purpose hall, public library, meeting rooms and civic facilities. The Business Plan provided profit and loss and cash flow projections.  The Trust subsequently raised £2.5m, built the centre and have successfully operated it for 3 years.

Cornworthy Village Hall

Advice and preparation of funding applications to raise sufficient funds to enable the Victorian Village Hall to be renovated and extended to maximise its potential as a focus of village activity.  Applications to be made include DEFRA, Rural Development Programme, Carnegie UK Trust and Countryside Agency.

Other Vision and Development Strategies have been prepared for:

Museum of the Broads

Bradwell Abbey Development Plan, Milton Keynes (Commission for the New Towns)

Armley Mills Industrial Museum Strategy

St Davids Visitor Management Strategy

Dyfi Valley Tourism Growth Area Action Plan

Herbert Art Gallery Coventry

Bedfordshire River Valleys