Destination Shrewsbury has outlined a package of measures to support local businesses and organisations during its last three months using its own resources and the additional £50,000 allocated by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council to Keep Shrewsbury vibrant.
The measures will include:
· A new TV campaign to highlight what Shrewsbury has to offer in 2009 aimed at increasing visitor numbers and spend.
· Promoting the free Wednesday car parking offer in the catchment area and encouraging local retail/evening economy businesses to offer special offers to link into this.
· Support for rural businesses through the Shropshire Rural Hub and in particular arts and crafts producers through the monthly Made in Shropshire markets.
· Support for the tourism sector through a campaign and special offers to attract visitors from the south-east to Shrewsbury by rail for short breaks.
· Helping smaller businesses to trade on the internet.
· Working with the Shop in the Loop group on wider retail promotions.
· Funding support for Shrewsbury's 2009 Summer Season.
Councillor David Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Destination Shrewsbury commented, "We recognise that 2009 will be a challenging time for many businesses and we hope that the variety of measures we are taking forward will either directly or indirectly help the many businesses, in particular the smaller independent ones which are the real strength behind our local economy."