A BLUEPRINT has been drawn up by the council to make the town a tourist hotspot.
The ‘visitor economy strategy’ has been pulled together to kick-start work to put Barnsley on the map. The vision is that by 2020 Barnsley will be recognised as an emerging tourism destination and be seen as a place worth visiting.
A council report says the borough’s main strength and opportunities lie with its heritage assets and it hopes to exploit these to make the town a go-to destination.
An outline action plan has been developed as part of the strategy which will be developed into a detailed action plan to be delivered by a visitor economy forum.
The visitor economy is an important growth industry for Barnsley, currently attracting about three million visits each year and generating an estimated £65m worth of economic impact.
The strategy sets out the vision and objectives for the next five years. The plan aims to make the most of the borough’s assets which include heritage sites, countryside for wildlife and recreation and flagship parks together with family attractions such as Cannon Hall Farm and Calypso Cove water park at the Metrodome.
Investment in attractions, improved visitor experiences through projects such as Parks for People at Cannon Hall, events such as Tour de Yorkshire together with the investment in Barnsley town centre is expected to increase the number of visits and bring money into the economy.
One key area for development is Elsecar and its connections with Wentworth Woodhouse. Projects are in the pipeline that will build on the area’s Heritage Action Zone and Great Place status with investment into the area, which has the potential to become an important historical destination.
Coun Roy Miller, cabinet spokesman, said: “Barnsley has a fantastic visitor offer including museums, galleries, water parks, theatres, landscapes, family attractions such as Cannon Hall Farm and shopping destinations.
“We believe that working in partnership to deliver the visitor economy strategy will enhance this offer and have a huge impact on the area. Through strategic partnerships, there is the opportunity to raise the profile and change often outdated perceptions of the area as well as achieving our corporate priority of developing a thriving and vibrant economy.”
