A new campaign to encourage more coach trips to Beverley has been launched by tourism partnership, Visit Hull & East Yorkshire (VHEY).
The coach campaign aims to put the town firmly on the map as a must-visit destination and provide local businesses with the opportunity to boost trade through increased footfall.
Since launching in the national trade media in August, two bookings have already been taken, with many more anticipated over the coming year.
Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This campaign is aimed at bringing new coach operators and their customers to Beverley, as well as providing a better service for those coach operators and customers already visiting the town.
“Tourism plays a vital role in the economy of both Beverley and the East Riding and the council, working through VHEY, is committed to providing a quality tourism offer that increases visitor numbers to the area.
“With its awe-inspiring Minster, historical buildings, fantastic designer and independent shops, buzzing Saturday Market and vast selection of restaurants, cafes, delis, bars and pubs, Beverley really does have something for everybody.
“We anticipate that this campaign will attract many more coach parties over the next year, with the aim of securing return visits and overnight stays in the town and thereby create favourable trading conditions for businesses to maximise on.”
The campaign allows coach operators to book trips to the town in advance via the VHEY website, with each booking providing a comprehensive visitor package that includes:
• free parking in a dedicated car park
• a meet and greet service
• welcome bags for passengers that include a discount vouchers booklet with savings in shops, cafes and restaurants, a Beverley guide, a Beverley Map, a pen and postcard (one per booking)
• driver welcome bag, which includes an £8 meal voucher to be redeemed in a participating venue, a drinking beaker, a key ring and a pen
• an opportunity for arranged tours or guided walks
• facility to pre-book group coffee breaks or lunches.
The campaign is valid Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays, special events and Beverley Race Days, until December 2016.
A lot depends upon just where this: “dedicated car park” is. Prior to the sale of the Beverley coach park on Morton Lane by the ERYC many coaches used it. A lot of coach users are elderly and need to be dropped near the places they want to visit, the shops on Sow Hill did well with the passing trade going to the Market Place. Since the clousure of this parking area Beverley became almost a no-go area for coaches, people had to be dropped off and picked up on busy roads the drivers had to go out to the sticks where there were no facilities and wait, anyone delayed in getting back on time had to be left. Of course that is not the ONLY drawback of the sale
Pat the dedicated car park is at the back of the Fire Station