All Working Together for Minehead
03 August 2021 : Council news, Community
A joint marketing campaign worked up by business leaders in Minehead earlier this summer is now paying dividends as the town reaches peak holiday season.
Minehead BID have used funding from the Emergency Town Centre Recovery Fund created by Somerset West and Taunton Council to help town centres recover from the pandemic to finance a package of initiatives aimed at broadening the attractiveness of Minehead to day visitors and those looking for longer breaks.
“It has been many years since Minehead had an official Visitors Guide” said Minehead BID Manager Andrew Hopkins.
“Using high quality images and copy provided by Visit Somerset Chair Giles Adams we hope we have shown Minehead in a new refreshed light.
"The 40-page guide seems to have been very well received and we hope shows there is indeed hidden treasure to be discovered in our town!”
Julian Abraham, out-going Chair of the Emergency Town Centre Recovery Fund and landlord of the Old Ship Aground at Minehead Harbour said “The new visitor guide is a powerful tool in promoting Minehead as a great place to work, rest and play to a wide audience of visitors.
"Through the Emergency Town Centre Recovery Fund managed by Minehead BID it is a clear and bold step forward to a brighter future.
"We are grateful to Somerset West and Taunton Council’s support as we look at recovery strategies into the future”
Councillor Marcus Kravis, Somerset West and Taunton Council's Executive Member for Economic Development said: “SWT is delighted to have helped facilitate these initiatives being delivered by the partnership of Minehead BID, local businesses, arts and other organisations to help the High Street bounce back from the impact of Covid-19.
“They have really grasped the opportunity to promote the retail environment, tourist attractions and much more in this vibrant guide, showcasing the best of this coastal community.
“I hope it will be embraced by our residents as well as visitors from across the country who can enjoy what’s on offer and support our economy after what has been an incredibly challenging year.”
The more contemporary looking Guide cover was created by local artist Leo Davey, whose studio is located in Quirke Street in the town. “I was asked to create a new image but from a traditional viewpoint.
"Minehead is coming out of the pandemic with a new optimism I feel. The bright new guide captures this.” said Mr Davey.
“The work Minehead BID and its partners are doing on all fronts has to be applauded”.
Giles Adams, Chair of Visit Somerset added, “It was an honour to play a role in producing this testament to Minehead, somewhere that I have known and visited for over 50 years.”
25,000 copies of the visitor guide have been produced and are being distributed by Glide Media much further around the area along with the Minehead Shoppers Guide, produced by the Minehead Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to the Visitor Guide, 50,000 copies of an 8-page Welcome to Minehead pull-out leaflet has been produced which will be given to every visitor to Butlins this summer in their welcome packs and distributed on site.
The pull-out leaflet highlights places to visit in the town and surrounding area and provides details of places to eat and drink in Minehead.
John Whybrow, General Manager of Butlins said: “This marketing partnership is one of the many steps led by Minehead BID to put Minehead back on the map. We certainly feel we are on to a winner being part of this one”.