Ludlow traders urged to aid tourism boost plan
Ludlow''s traders are being urged to get involved with a new drive to bring visitors to Shropshire.
The town's first Upload event will be held at Ludlow Castle on May 17, hosted by Muff Murfin, chairman of the local Chamber of Trade and Commerce, to share the latest new projects for the town.
One of the main topics of discussion will be the newly formed Ludlow Destination Partnership, a drive to get organisations in the town to work together in response to dwindling funding and support for leisure and tourism from Shropshire Council, as the authority's budgets for the sector are set to be cut to zero from 2017.
Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber, will officially launch the partnership, which hopes to create a new visitor website for the town among other initiatives,
The partnership includes venues and organisations such as Ludlow Chamber of Commerce, Ludlow Castle, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow Food Festival, the Church of St Laurence, Ludlow Fringe Festival, Ludlow Medieval Christmas Festival and Ludlow Town Council.
Mr Murfin said he hopes everyone who benefits from the tourism in the town will come along.
He said: "It's a great opportunity to 'upload' the latest news and information that affect all businesses in the town.
"However small they all, we all contribute to make an outstanding offer to visitors, but we want to do more and work more cohesively with all members and partners.
"Sadly, what with cut-backs, we no longer have much support for Tourism from Shropshire Council so it's in our interests to get on and rally together."
Mayor of Ludlow, Paul Draper, will also be presenting a sneak preview of the Buttercross Museum and there will be a presentation of the new look 3 Weeks in Ludlow festival which incorporates Ludlow Fringe, St Laurence's Arts Festival, and Rooftop Theatre's Shakespeare at Ludlow Brewery, with updates from the Ludlow Assembly Rooms and the new hand at the helm of Ludlow Food Festival, Lindsay Rollings.
The event will be followed by Ludlow Chamber's annual general meeting, with all welcome to attend.
The group will be saying thank you to David Hill, of Whittingham Riddell, formally of Sykes and Co, who has been treasurer for over 25 years and is retiring this summer.
