Extra support on offer for borough’s visitor economy

Tourism businesses in Filey, Scarborough and Whitby are being offered extra support to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus lockdown.

Scarborough Borough Council’s tourism team (Discover Yorkshire Coast) and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub have teamed up to offer dedicated support for the visitor economy.

The sector is worth £748 million to the borough with 18,000 jobs supported. More than 7.3 million people visit the Yorkshire coast in an ordinary year.

The York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub – coordinated by the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership – is funding the recruitment of a specialist post to work with local tourism businesses to understand their needs and arrange the support they need to keep trading.

It’s anticipated more than 200 local organisations will benefit from the investment, which will include advice on how firms can best recover from the financial shock of Covid-19.

The Growth Hub’s role is to make it easy for businesses to find the support they need through mentoring and guiding activities in almost any aspect of starting, running, and growing a company.

The tourism team will promote the council’s economic recovery plans and ensure every tourism or visitor business is provided with free online promotion.

The partnership will also see a new video made to promote the borough – and the Yorkshire coast – as a destination of choice for visitors.

The film, together with a library of footage, will be made available for businesses to use to support their own marketing activity.

Scarborough Borough Council, its Discover Yorkshire Coast team and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub are determined to do all they can for tourism businesses.

A five year visitor economy plan for the borough of Scarborough is currently being developed.

Councillor Liz Colling, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, said:

“The importance of tourism to our borough cannot be overstated.

“This partnership between our tourism team and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub is a welcome initiative at a time when the tourist economy desperately needs a shot in the arm.

“We are determined to do all we can to support recovery.

“If we can help 200 businesses bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic, I will be delighted.”

Andrew Raby, Manager of the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, said:

“We’re pleased to be able to provide this new post for the area and we feel it will offer a helpful extra source of support for businesses on the Yorkshire coast.

“Throughout the pandemic, the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub has been well-used by businesses of all sizes, whether that be through attending webinars, speaking with our specialist advisors, or accessing free resources on our website.

“It’s great news that we’re able to expand this offer with this latest post.”