Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier owner Kerry Michael has welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech on domestic tourism.
Speaking in London recently, David Cameron sought to play up the importance of the domestic tourism sector, describing it as ‘fundamental’ to the rebuilding and rebalancing of the economy.
Kerry Michael welcomed the Prime Minister’s recognition that under previous administrations there was no incentive for local authorities to encourage visitors to their destinations.
He said: “David Cameron has highlighted the very important role local authorities must play to encourage visitors to their destinations, especially in coastal resorts like ours. I believe we have been badly let down by North Somerset Council and I call on them to re-think their current strategy about investment in tourism.
“”Tourism in the West Country is worth more than £1 billion per annum and Weston-super-Mare is the largest local destination for that spend. Leaders at North Somerset Council must see the wider picture – tourism and the Grand Pier in particular is the king pin in our local economy.
Three different members of the executive have told me personally that Tourism only benefits the seafront traders so it is up to those traders to promote it and not the job of the Local Authority - they couldn’t be more wrong.
They must understand that visitors spend money all over the area and not just the seafront, they spend in our shops, in guest houses, garages in fact everywhere.
Also, those same shops and seafront traders employ people from all over the district who, without tourism, wouldn’t have jobs. So, it is naïve to suggest that tourism only benefits the seafront traders.
“We hope the appointment of John Penrose MP as Minister for Tourism will have a positive effect on Weston-super-Mare and that he will encourage his local authority colleagues to look closely at their current tourism strategy”.
David Cameron identified that, at the moment, if a local council does more to attract tourists to the area, it picks up the cost but gets none of the additional business rate revenue.
His desire is to allow local authorities to reinvest revenue made from tourism back into the local communities to help not just tourism, but all the other business sectors.
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Friday 24 September 2010
Thursday 2 September 2010
SAY ‘I DO’ ON WESTON’S GRAND PIER
Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier has been granted a licence by North Somerset Council to hold marriages and civil partnerships at the venue.
The Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have already received over 100 enquiries about weddings on the Pier, from all over the UK.
Brides will really be able to make a unique entrance on the Pier, as wedding cars will now be allowed to drive right up to the Pavilion building. The newly covered walkway will also make sure wedding guests arrive in the dry.
No less than five areas of the Pier have been licensed – including one outside space. Couples wishing to tie the knot will have the choice of marrying on the large balcony of the Regency Suite, on the second floor of the Pavilion or in the large Regency Suite itself.
Weddings can also take place in the Edwardian tea rooms at the back of the Pavilion, which has stunning views out to sea on all three sides.
One of the most unusual venues on the Pier for a small wedding is the North Tower, which has a bridal room above it, for last minute preparations. This semi-circular venue has views over the bay.
The Coral Room on the first floor of the Pavilion is suitable for wedding parties of up to 40 people. This room looks to the South, over Brean Down.
Finally, the Great Hall has been granted a licence, so The Pier can cater for very large weddings of up to 850 guests if necessary.
Michelle Michael said: “We have created a very flexible wedding space here. Couples can have a completely private wedding, using our exclusive entrance on the North deck, or they can really get involved in the fun side of the venue. We are delighted by how many enquiries we have received already.
“We will be providing complete wedding and civil partnership packages, but we will also be offering wedding receptions to couples who have chosen to marry in a church or register office setting. We will be offering everything from a simple drinks and canapes reception to a full wedding breakfast”.
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The Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have already received over 100 enquiries about weddings on the Pier, from all over the UK.
Brides will really be able to make a unique entrance on the Pier, as wedding cars will now be allowed to drive right up to the Pavilion building. The newly covered walkway will also make sure wedding guests arrive in the dry.
No less than five areas of the Pier have been licensed – including one outside space. Couples wishing to tie the knot will have the choice of marrying on the large balcony of the Regency Suite, on the second floor of the Pavilion or in the large Regency Suite itself.
Weddings can also take place in the Edwardian tea rooms at the back of the Pavilion, which has stunning views out to sea on all three sides.
One of the most unusual venues on the Pier for a small wedding is the North Tower, which has a bridal room above it, for last minute preparations. This semi-circular venue has views over the bay.
The Coral Room on the first floor of the Pavilion is suitable for wedding parties of up to 40 people. This room looks to the South, over Brean Down.
Finally, the Great Hall has been granted a licence, so The Pier can cater for very large weddings of up to 850 guests if necessary.
Michelle Michael said: “We have created a very flexible wedding space here. Couples can have a completely private wedding, using our exclusive entrance on the North deck, or they can really get involved in the fun side of the venue. We are delighted by how many enquiries we have received already.
“We will be providing complete wedding and civil partnership packages, but we will also be offering wedding receptions to couples who have chosen to marry in a church or register office setting. We will be offering everything from a simple drinks and canapes reception to a full wedding breakfast”.
For latest images check out our WEBCAM
Become a fan on FACEBOOK
Get tweeting with us on TWITTER
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