|
1 |
Annan |
Build a collaboration with
Caledonia Park retail centre, to give visitor information and get the
Scotland Starts Here visible as soon as people come off the M74. |
Ongoing |
David |
We have met with Caledonia Park
and agreed a partnership in principle. We are also developing a major new
partnership with Gretna Green. |
We will come back with specific
proposals with regards how the SSH brand and appropriate visitor information
is shared at Caledonia Park |
|
2 |
Annan |
Support better data
collaboration and use. |
Ongoing |
David |
We hosted a roundtable bringing
together all organisations collecting visitor economy data on 24 Aug and
agreed actions from this. We have
developed and updated this webpage (www.ssdalliance.com/supporting-tourism/insights/)
sharing all relevant data and have moved it from the members area to being
publicly available. We have met with both councils discussing STEAM data and
are now able to make this data publicly available, with new timescales agreed
for future years to speed up. We have presented at webinars to support Place
Planning teams to access visitor economy data and we have supported a
National Park bid to access the data it needs. We have data at the core of
the new Responsible Tourism Strategy. |
Write data into the delivery plan
of the Responsible Tourism Strategy for the South of Scotland, with a ten
year commitment to collecting and sharing the most insightful data to track
the impact of the strategy. |
|
3 |
Annan |
Encourage D&G Council to
support more community-level
events. |
Ongoing |
David |
We now sit on the D&G Events
Partnership and are working closely with Ian Barr. We are actively supporting the idea that
there are a diverse range of different scale events supported |
Continue to move forwards as part of the D&G Events Partnership |
|
4 |
Annan |
What about a quarterly or
1/3 per year newspaper highlighting events & funded by advertising or
business. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
We are actively exploring
options and will update in the February meetings |
Continue to move forwards
discussions with potential partners |
|
5 |
Dumfries |
Ensure that all local visitor
information centres and accommodation have ‘Scotland Starts Here’ info |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Meetings in progress with
Distribution Companies and VisitScotland. We are meeting with all visitor
info centres and have contracted a freelance staff member to go to businesses
and info centres distributing SSH marketing collateral. |
Approach Councils and agree
distribution plan. |
|
6 |
Dumfries |
Better integrate the Scotland
Starts Here website and the SSDA website, to reduce confusion. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
We have made SSH more visible on
the homepage of the SSDA webpage |
The SSH will have a new top line
bar with the opting for businssess to click to find out more - taking them to
SSDA. The SSDA page is updated and linked to SSH |
|
7 |
Dumfries |
Make it easier for local events
to know how to promote their event on the ‘Scotland Starts Here’ website and
app. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have completely updated our
online events submission system, so it's much quicker and easier:
https://www.ssdalliance.com/events-submissions/ |
We will continue to promote the
event registerring systems and work with Events stakeholders and raising as
part of the events planning process |
|
8 |
Dumfries |
Explore possible collaboration
with colleges, making tourism an attractive career |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Discussing what options are
currently available to students. A mapping process was undertaken as part of
Visitor Economy Week 2023 |
Building a workforce development
section on the website and will add the course overview information.
Engagement with schools and DYW underway.
We are including in 2024-2034 Responsible Tourism Strategy. We are likely hosting a high-level
roundtable meeting in April to agree clear actions. |
|
9 |
Dumfries |
Support collaboration around
visitor economy data sharing and help businesses to access and use data well. |
Ongoing |
David |
We hosted a roundtable bringing
together all organisations collecting visitor economy data on 24 Aug and
agreed actions from this. We have
developed and updated this webpage (www.ssdalliance.com/supporting-tourism/insights/)
sharing all relevant data and have moved it from the members area to being
publicly available. We have met with both councils discussing STEAM data and
are now able to make this data publicly available, with new timescales agreed
for future years to speed up. We have presented at webinars to support Place
Planning teams to access visitor economy data and we have supported a
National Park bid to access the data it needs. We have data at the core of
the new Responsible Tourism Strategy. |
Write data into the delivery plan of the Responsible Tourism Strategy for
the South of Scotland, with a ten year commitment to collecting and sharing
the most insightful data to track the impact of the strategy. |
|
10 |
Dumfries |
How do we better support and
promote activity providers –Liz Peacock to look at activities and feedback to
DHJ |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Looking at this as part of our
seasonality campaign. We are changing
the structure of our website to increase visibility. |
Liz has fed back some really
useful insights and Vanessa is meeting with her to develop those further. |
|
11 |
Dumfries |
Make the ‘Scotland Starts Here’
logo readily available for businesses to use themselves |
Complete |
Gowan |
The digital logo is on the SSDA
website under the membership area. We
have created a brand toolkit which is now more widely available. We have
produced new brand collateral, including window stickers. |
Communications to SSDA members
sharing brand toolkit. Feb meetings used to distribute physical collateral |
|
12 |
Duns |
Support the local calls for a
signpost at Duns and Chirnside to show where the grave is of Jim Clark. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have had initial informal
discussions with both Councils, generally, about signage, representing the
concerns raised in these meetings |
Early in 2024 develop a
multi-agency action plan to move this forwards. We aim to make a firm ask of
the relevant public agencies, with the First Minister of Scotland, at
Convention of the South |
|
13 |
Duns |
How to we promote local events
(like the Jim Car rally) to local people as well as visitors. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have completely updated our
online events submission system, so it's much quicker and easier:
www.ssdalliance.com/events-submissions/ |
We will continue to promote the
event registerring systems and work with Events stakeholders and raising as
part of the events planning process |
|
14 |
Duns |
Get the Scotland Starts Here
digital logo to local businesses so they can use on websites etc. |
Complete |
Gowan |
The digital logo is on the SSDA
website under the membership area. We
have created a brand toolkit which is now more widely available. We have
produced new brand collateral, including window stickers. |
Communications to SSDA members
sharing brand toolkit. Feb meetings used to distribute physical collateral |
|
15 |
Duns |
Help support PR work by local
attractions and businesses such as Paxton House: amplifying their press and
offering dedicate PR support so when a business has a good news story for the
region, we all get behind it. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
A news submission form is being
developed and will be added onto SSDA website. If members contact us with news updates we
will always look at potnetial ways we can support the PR. |
Add a reminder to newsletters as well. |
|
16 |
Duns |
Have a media/marketing webinar
to offer businesses, information, advice and support in these areas. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Delivered a marketing update
webinar, including how to tap into the campaigns and have an experiences
development and others coming up
www.ssdalliance.com/winter-webinars-2023-2024/ |
We regularly share Business
Gateway training opportunities of their media/ marketing training courses |
|
17 |
Duns |
Look at the idea of some kind of
treasure hunt in the area which could bring people in. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Spoken to Hidden Hawick,
potential to expand to other areas? |
Anyone interested in developing
something local connect them with Hawick. Look at developing local geocache
trails. |
|
18 |
Duns |
Support call for more/better
brown tourism signs. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have had initial informal
discussions with both Councils, generally, about signage, representing the
concerns raised in these meetings |
Early in 2024 develop a
multi-agency action plan to move this forwards. We aim to make a firm ask of
the relevant public agencies, with the First Minister of Scotland, at
Convention of the South |
|
19 |
Duns |
Support collaboration between
businesses and idea of a pass to get into a number of attractions. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Following this request we
delivered a webinar regarding the legislation of packaging and Linked travel
arrangements - i.e. the rules around how businesses can work together with
joint ticketing. We also fed into the
UK Government consultation advocating for a change to these rules to be more
supportive of business collaboration. Information page on SSDA
https://www.ssdalliance.com/winter-webinars-2023-2024/ |
Happy to support businesses to
collaborate if there is appetite for it. Informed by learning of previous
schemes |
|
20 |
Eyemouth |
Change people’s mindsets in the
community re tourism – help them see the benefits of tourism such as
employment and training. Communities need to embrace it. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We are working with the local
media across the region to build positive support for tourism across the
community. This has recently included
front cover pieces in local newspapers and a number of local TV items |
Continue to work with the local
media |
|
21 |
Eyemouth |
Get young people engaged, they
need a voice and a safe opportunity for them to share their views |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Part of our Visitor Economy work
and workforce development. |
Building a workforce development
section on the website and will add the course overview information.
Engagement with schools and DYW underway.
We are including in 2024-2034 Responsible Tourism Strategy. We are likely hosting a high-level
roundtable meeting in April to agree clear actions. |
|
22 |
Eyemouth |
Engage Scottish Borders Council
in conversation to represent local views around core path and access –
specifically the Berwickshire Costal Path |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Meetings in progress with
appropriate teams in both councils around active travel, tourism and
access. Has been discussed with full
SBC Council |
Feed into D&G waymarking
consultation |
|
23 |
Galashiels |
Dog friendly: tap into the
national assets already set up for Dog Friendly holidays, specific campaigns
with SSDA. Make it easier for business to tap into market. Use
Galashiels as a test. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Looking to engage a
'dogfluencer' in the new year, run a social campaign in the run up to
national pet week (May), highlight pet friendly businesses across the region |
Engage pet friendly businesses
to get involved in a week long social campaign in May 2024 |
|
24 |
Galashiels |
Common Riding opportunities –
start a dialogue with Galashiels about the opportunities and highlighting the
benefits. Mapping out details of route, making the event less secret to
the visitor to enable engagement. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Have copies of the routes and
looking how we might incorporate some of the visitor information to SSH. We have ringfenced specific budget to
support equestrian tourism |
Start the communication with
other areas that want to engage more with visitors at the events. Currently
developing a travel trade guide to the Common Ridings and how to view them |
|
25 |
Galashiels |
Bring an influencer to
Galashiels. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have agreed to incorporate
specific FAM trip requests in the SSH Marketing campaign. |
Details to be confirmed and
collaborators to be approached |
|
26 |
Galashiels |
Produce specific itineraries,
what can you do in the area – what to do when arrive |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have created several dozen
routes and itineraries, and have a digital structure and format for these
which we are continuing to improve and invest in. The 14 new local area landing pages will be
a key webspace for further local itineraries. |
Finalise the 14 local area
landing pages by Feb. Re-share all existing itineraries and invite ideas and
input for further itineraries. |
|
27 |
Galashiels |
Itineraries for each
interest/theme (historic, walking etc.) |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have created several dozen
routes and itineraries, and have a digital structure and format for these
which we are continuing to improve and invest in. The 14 new area landing pages will be a key
webspace for further local itineraries. |
Finalise the 14 local area
landing pages by Feb. Re-share all existing itineraries and invite ideas and
input for further itineraries. |
|
28 |
Galashiels |
Look at promoting South of the
Border |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Meetings in progress with
Distribution Companies and VisitScotland |
Approach Councils and agree
distribution plan, including south of the border |
|
29 |
Galashiels |
Look at the visitor’s day – it’s
not just a visit to a castle, it’s the lunch before, the drink, accommodation
and shopping nearby |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have created several dozen
routes and itineraries, and have a digital structure and format for these
which we are continuing to improve and invest in. The 14 new area landing pages will be a key
webspace for further local itineraries. |
Re-share all existing
itineraries and invite ideas and input for further itineraries. |
|
30 |
Galashiels |
Lack of “better quality” eating |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Will have included 'improving
quality' in the draft South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy for
2023-33 and will develop tangible actions and clear responsibilities against
this, including relating to food and drink |
Review signposting to external
training opportunities (Business Gateway), feed into tourism strategy and
work force development. To support
ambitions of Scotland Food and Drink and agree collaborative working. |
|
31 |
Galashiels |
Support with training staff to
provide a positive and friendly welcome to visitors. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Training opportuntiies to be
signposted better, working collaboratively with SOSE and Business Gateway. |
Review signposting to external
training opportunities (Business Gateway), feed into tourism strategy and
work force development. |
|
32 |
Galashiels |
Provide FAM trips amongst
business – learning journeys |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have agreed to incorporate
specific FAM trip requests in the SSH Marketing campaign. |
Details to be confirmed and
collaborators to be approached |
|
33 |
Galashiels |
Look at the
potential of the local community halls. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Working with communities to highlight the events listing tool on SSH. |
Had a meeting with Energise Galashiels to discuss how we can all highlight the events in the diverse network of halls and centres in the South of Scotland |
|
34 |
Galashiels |
Develop Scottish Border unique
experiences including music and storytelling. |
Complete |
Sarah |
Experience workshop included in
SSDA Winter Webinars. |
Promotion of webinar and links
to video when available. |
|
35 |
Hawick |
Send details of how Hawick
Reivers can be on SSH website and links with the Heritage themes |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Links to HR sent with request to
advice how best to change. SSH website
has been upgraded to make it much easier to upload events like this. |
To keep sharing info about how
to get local events on SSH |
|
36 |
Hawick |
Support Newcastleton and
Eskdale’s work to increase access. Learn from Eskdale Muir |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Raised with SOSE CEO |
To feed into the RLUP
consultation |
|
37 |
Hawick |
As we all buy-into and use the
'Scotland Starts Here' brand, important that there is guaranteed longevity
for this with long term financial security so everyone is confident we’re in
it for the long-term. Time and support given to another consultation, will
the SSDA be around to take forward? |
Ongoing |
David |
We are working with SOSE,
VisitScotland, D&GC and SBC to find a long term sustainable funding
model. We are confident the work of SSH and the SSDA will continue
uninterrupted. We have agreed that the Delivery Plan of the South of Scotland
Responsible Tourism Strategy will form the basis of the SSDA's funding |
A commitment to finding a
long-term sustainable funding model for destination management and marketing
is included within the Responsible Tourism Strategy |
|
38 |
Hawick |
Support the case that is being
made that windfarm money should be focused on local community use. |
Ongoing |
David |
We have had two senior meetings
so far talking about windfarms and community benefit. SOSE have released a
major report on this. |
|
|
39 |
Hawick |
Ask the Council to take down the
UCI signs. |
Ongoing |
David |
This direct ask has been shared
in the high-level South of Scotland
Cycling Partners Leadership Group for the South of Scotland |
We will follow up and ask for an
update |
|
40 |
Hawick |
Get the Scotland Starts Here
brand and collateral south of the border – visible in Carlisle Tourist Info
etc. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Meetings in progress with
Distribution Companies and VisitScotland |
Approach Councils and agree
distribution plan, including south of the border |
|
41 |
Hawick |
Get the South of Scotland more
visible in the Visit Scotland Tourist Information on the Royal Mile. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Meetings in progress with
Distribution Companies and VisitScotland |
Approach Councils and agree
distribution plan. |
|
42 |
Hawick |
Explore partnership with DFDS to
raise the profile of Scotland Starts Here on the ferries. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
We have delivered a major
campaign with DFDS Ferries and VisitScotland which has exceeded targets |
We are waiting on the final
results of the campagn, will feedback in the newsletters when complete |
|
43 |
Kelso |
Give more/better information
about how events can be uploaded to ‘Scotland Starts Here’. |
Complete |
Gowan |
The new events submission form
is live which means businsesses and events can feed in directly with no
delay. Now live in the SSH events page |
We will continue to promote the
event registerring systems and work with Events stakeholders and raising as
part of the events planning process |
|
44 |
Kelso |
Explore the idea of a physical
map/sign/info point in the Centre of Kelso to have tourist information. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Investigating options and
upcoming budget |
Looking at the potential across
the region. Talking to the heads of both Councils about signage in general |
|
45 |
Kelso |
Explore the idea of four
Connected Maps - Kelso map showing Jed, Jed map shows Kelso etc. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
The new SSDA area landing pages
will include a map of the area and connect up all the possible maps |
Will be showcasing the concept
at the February meetings |
|
46 |
Kelso |
Look to try
and get more information in Guide Book people use, ideally with itineraries
which include Kelso |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Meeting held with travel guide
expert to understand opportunities.
Agreement in progress with author to raise profile in new travel
book(s). |
To ensure that all travel
publishers are included in press releases to sow seed for future guides. |
|
47 |
Loch Ken |
Enabling collaboration and
networking locally |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
SSDA annual conference is a
great networking opportunity, early bird tickets are now on sale for the
event on the 20th March |
Next meetings are in February |
|
48 |
Loch Ken |
Publicising what’s on in
region |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
The new events submission form
is live which means businsesses and events can feed in directly with no
delay. Now live in the SSH events page |
We will continue to promote the
event registerring systems and work with Events stakeholders and raising as
part of the events planning process |
|
49 |
Loch Ken |
Showcasing best practice |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
We have delivered a series of
Winter Webinars showcasing best practice |
SSDA website is being overhauled
so we can showcase businesses even more. |
|
50 |
Loch Ken |
Promote the SOS’s natural
capital (from Jan ’24), find direct links to the “visitor economy” |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
An initial meeting with SOSE to
understand areas of collaboration to enhance this further |
Natural capital is an inportant
part of the draft Responsible Tourism Strategy and is part of the SSDA
conference with a panel discussion. |
|
51 |
Loch Ken |
Advert on TV – use video
footage |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
The Thistle awards have been
featured and we continue to explore opportunities to expand our marketing
reach within our budget |
We are just about to run an
advetorial and digital displays campaign with VistScotland, having talked to
other regional DMOS (Aberdeen, Cairngorms) this othen has better reach and
lower cost than TV, we will evaluate after completion |
|
52 |
Loch Ken |
Consider target audiences
(campervans and older couples) |
Ongoing |
David |
The forthcoming Responsible
Tourism Strategy looks specifically at target audience and will include a
specific section on campervans |
Businesses can feed into the
draft of the strategy in Dec and Jan |
|
53 |
Moffat |
To investigate the opportunities
to improve signage off the major trunk roads – getting people off the M74 and
exploring the area |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have had initial informal
discussions with both Councils, generally, about signage, representing the
concerns raised in these meetings |
Early in 2024 develop a
multi-agency action plan to move this forwards. We aim to make a firm ask of
the relevant public agencies, with the First Minister of Scotland, at
Convention of the South |
|
54 |
Moffat |
Get the businesses and community
of Moffat more involved – collaboration |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Work with those that offered at
the LLDD meeting to encourage sign up to the meetings in February |
Have someone going around
businesses encouraging sign up and distributing collatoral. Moffat is next on
the list |
|
55 |
Moffat |
Ensure Moffat is well connected
in to, and benefitting from, the Destination Tweed work |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Member of SSDA team to work with
DT with remit to develop community support. |
Waiting for confirmation of
staff recruitment. |
|
56 |
Moffat |
Explore whether the seasonal
summer bus route along the Selkirk road could be reinstated, taking in the
highlights – a couple of times a day. |
Not Started |
Sarah |
To include in Selkirk Place
Planning meeting (postponed). |
Approach potential partners in
Moffat and Selkirk to consider opportunities. |
|
57 |
Moffat |
Riparian walk (by the river)
from Moffat to Grey Mares tail. Craigeburn forest - More information boards.
Routes suitable for E Bikes, solar chargers on route. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Talking to the D&G active
travel team |
Meeting arranged with the active travel team, lots of buy in from the local community we have approached. |
|
58 |
Moffat |
Local ranger for the Grey Mares
Tail (Current one lives in Eyemouth) possibly facilities – Toilet, Coffee?
but def toilet. |
Not Started |
Gowan |
Meeting with NTS in the New Year |
|
|
59 |
Moffat |
Road signage or other work to
try and get more people off the M74 and visiting Moffat |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have had initial informal
discussions with both Councils, generally, about signage, representing the
concerns raised in these meetings |
Early in 2024 develop a
multi-agency action plan to move this forwards. We aim to make a firm ask of
the relevant public agencies, with the First Minister of Scotland, at
Convention of the South |
|
60 |
Moffat |
Repairs A701 up to D&G is
great then, unavoidable potholes |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Both
councils have a schedule of planned works so you can easily see where fixes
might be planned, also they both have a reporting function for potholes or
poor surfaces.
|
Ensure the South of Scotland
Responsible Tourism Strategy includes reference to the fact that the visitor
economy success relies on effective infrastructure, so we can use this to
advocate for investment in roads improvements. Get the programme of works for
road repairs and make a positive case for investment in key tourism routes. |
|
61 |
Moffat |
Selkirk road + Motorway
junction. Potholes |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Both
councils have a schedule of planned works so you can easily see where fixes
might be planned, also they both have a reporting function for potholes or
poor surfaces.
|
Ensure the South of Scotland
Responsible Tourism Strategy includes reference to the fact that the visitor
economy success relies on effective infrastructure, so we can use this to
advocate for investment in roads improvements. Get the programme of works for
road repairs and make a positive case for investment in key tourism routes. |
|
62 |
Newton Stewart |
Send Eshon details of the data
sharing and collaboration work and invite his input. |
Complete |
David |
Sent immediately after the
meeting, with follow up email 30/11/13 |
|
|
63 |
Newton Stewart |
Give greater clarity about the
different SSDA membership levels (following the question on this). |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
We want ‘Scotland Starts Here’
to be inclusive, welcoming and benefitting all of the South of Scotland’s
visitor economy, we have therefore introduced a new membership structure with a new basic
level membership option (free). See:
www.ssdalliance.com/ssda-launches-inclusive-basic-membership-for-all/ |
Promote the new membership
category |
|
64 |
Newton Stewart |
Use an existing footage where
available and look into whether can use a local videographer |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Photography contacts passed to
Marketing team, video footage being collected from Whithorn |
Crowdriff links to be made
available and promoted to all to receive images and footage |
|
65 |
Newton Stewart |
Brown signs are out of date and
do not reflect the businesses. Look to start a proper conversation with
the relevant roads authority about the outdated signs on A75. It’s for
the benefit for the region - a correct representation of what the area has
that. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have had initial informal
discussions with both Councils, generally, about signage, representing the
concerns raised in these meetings |
Early in 2024 develop a
multi-agency action plan to move this forwards. We aim to make a firm ask of
the relevant public agencies, with the First Minister of Scotland, at
Convention of the South |
|
66 |
Newton Stewart |
Increase the prominence of
cycling on the Scotland Starts Here website SSH – specifically the
tech/formatting issue where cycling is not visible at a specific point
(Esther to advise). |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Big focus in the New Year on the
KC2C, website restructure will help with visibility. |
Vanessa has been meeting with
Esther as part of the overall website revamp |
|
67 |
Newton Stewart |
Make the case to D&G Council
as to why it’s important to have a fair balance of different types of events
which receive funding. |
Ongoing |
David |
We now sit on the D&G Events
Partnership We are actively supporting
the idea that there are a diverse range of different scale events supported. |
Continue to move forwards as part of the D&G Events Partnership |
|
68 |
Newton Stewart |
Offer support and advice as the
community-led Glen Trool café looks to open year round. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Our seasonality campaign and the
Linked travel regulations have an effect on this, the webinars are now up on
the website |
Meet with cafe to discuss in the
January date TBC |
|
69 |
Peebles |
Helping promote and amplify what
is already happening in the area, especially the late night shopping. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Promotion of events submission
form in all newsletters and on SSDA SM.
Event submission form developed to be more user friendly. |
Working with Events stakeholders
to incorporate as part of the events planning process |
|
70 |
Peebles |
Get more information about the
area into the Visit Scotland ICentre tourist information hub on the Royal
Mile in Edinburgh, so their staff know to recommend Peebles as just 40 mins
away. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Meetings in progress with
Distribution Companies and VisitScotland |
Approach Councils and agree
distribution plan. |
|
71 |
Peebles |
Work with Go Tweed Valley and
Scottish Borders Council to maximise the positive legacy of the recent UCI
world cycling championships by exploring whether the temporary campsite could
be made permanent. |
Not Started |
Sarah |
To arrange meeting with Go Tweed
Valley specifically to support this point. |
To offer support and understand
where SSDA can add weight |
|
72 |
Peebles |
Raise the issue of Short Term
Let Fees with Scottish Borders Council. |
Complete |
David |
Had a series of meetings with
SBC in the run up to 1st October deadline, passing on this feedback and
actively developing systems to make STL as manageable as possible for
businesses |
Monitor the impact of STL and continue to work closely with the council
to support pragmatic delivery |
|
73 |
Peebles |
Support local independent
retailers association advocacy with the Scottish Borders council around
ensuring there is fair parking in the town – there needs to be a clear
strategy (recent survey suggested that 64% of residents were for no change in
parking fee structure). |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Informally discussed with SBC at
a regional level |
To follow up with Peebles
Retailers for sitrep and agree additional action |
|
74 |
Sanquhar |
Help provide information and
support about how businesses could work more collaboratively and potentially
have joint ticketing. There is specific legislation that makes it much
harder to have joint ticketing but this is something the SSDA can provide
useful, appropriate and supportive information on locally. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Following this request we
delivered a webinar regarding the legislation of packaging and Linked travel
arrangements - i.e. the rules around how businesses can work together with
joint ticketing. We also fed into the
UK Government consultation advocating for a change to tehse rules to be more
supportive of business collaboration. Information page on SSDA
https://www.ssdalliance.com/winter-webinars-2023-2024/ |
Happy to support businesses to
collaborate if there is appetite for it. Informed by learning of previous
schemes |
|
75 |
Sanquhar |
Work with
and help support the local tourism partnership now that it is back up and
running. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Meeting set up |
|
|
76 |
Sanquhar |
Bring together information about
the quirky, unusual local offerings – churches etc. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Discussions about how we do this
on SSH, we had a lot of the POIs from the councils on there but they were
lost as there was SO much information. Looking at business led and organised
FAM trips which could highlight so of these unusual offerings, also add them
to the SSH town pages |
Look at a quirky places blog
later in the year |
|
77 |
Sanquhar |
Feedback to SOSE the challenge
for small businesses of only having capital grants available (as opposed to
revenue) |
Ongoing |
David |
This has been feedback to the
CEO of SOSE |
|
|
78 |
Sanquhar |
SSDA
representation on the ground – visiting Ellisland and Crawick. Knowing and
understanding the product in the area. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Been several times as a
'visitor' to both locations (and many many more). Joan gave a fantastic
guided tour to me and my father. 12/ 10 recommend both sites. David has met
with Chair of Crawick |
We are happy to let people know
when we are visiting when not in a work capacity. |
|
79 |
Sanquhar |
Offering further support and
guidance on work with the Travel Trade – how do we collaborate/ link
up. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
A travel trade workshop in the
New Year and follow up workshops are in planning |
Do contact us outwith these if
you need advice or guidance |
|
80 |
Sanquhar |
Help represent the impact that
withdrawn SG funding for winter festivals has had, for example on the Big
Burns Supper |
Not Started |
David |
Have developed (and are
resourcing) a hugely ambitious six month action plan for Burns Tourism
Partnership which includes ensuring that the Big Burns Supper receives
necessary funding to go ahead in 2025 |
Continue to work closely with
Graham at Big Burns Supper, and the Burns Tourism Partnership, to ensure it
gets the funding it needs |
|
81 |
Selkirk |
Share the South of Scotland
Cycling Strategy with Andy Murray following his questions about this and
invite his input to the South of Scotland Cycling Partners Leadership Group
which David Hope-Jones sits on (next meeting 31/08/23). |
Complete |
David |
Emailed to him immediately after
the meeting (https://tinyurl.com/mvj7h9y6) and invited his input to share
with the Leaders' Group. |
|
|
82 |
Selkirk |
Work with Visit Scotland to get
more information about the South of Scotland in the Visit Scotland Tourist
Information centre on the Royal Mile, so more visitors are encouraged to come
south. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Meetings in progress with
Distribution Companies and VisitScotland |
Approach Councils and agree
distribution plan. |
|
83 |
Selkirk |
Support further sharing and
collaboration between Selkirk businesses and those in the Ettrick and Yarrow
valleys – potentially a WhatsApp group to make it as easy as possible to
share information between businesses. |
Not Started |
Sarah |
To include in Selkirk Place
Planning meeting (postponed). Sub
meeting group contacted to discuss specifics |
To follow up with Selkirk
Marketing Group and agree action. |
|
84 |
Selkirk |
Share high quality local images
and videos which local businesses can use, so everyone is showing this area
in the best possible light. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Photography contacts passed to
Marketing team, video footage being collected from Whithorn |
Crowdriff links to be made
available and promoted to all to receive images and footage |
|
85 |
Selkirk |
Give the Scotland Starts Here
logo and other digital elements for local businesses to themselves use in
their own marketing and communications. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
These are available on the SSDA
members portal and we will share them in the newsletters. We are also
actively distributing physical posters etc |
general email inclusion |
|
86 |
Selkirk |
Help distribute and build
audience for the new James Hogg Ettrick Valley leaflet. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Copy of trail and meeting
requested to feed into wider Ettrick Forest conversation. |
Agree plan to deliver and
promote, incorporate into wider literary theme development. |
|
87 |
Selkirk |
Support possible new transport
collaborations between Philipburn and the two valleys, using the two new
electric minibuses. |
Not Started |
Sarah |
To include in Selkirk Place
Planning meeting (postponed). |
Approach potential partners in
Moffat and Selkirk to consider opportunities. |
|
88 |
Selkirk |
Help share Stewart Wilson’s
(Tweed Valley Blogger) blogs and videos. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Blogs recently shared on SSDA
Social Media Channels |
Speak Marketing team about
further opportunities. |
|
89 |
Stranraer |
Offer advice and support around
possible collaboration/joint ticketing – e.g. activity weekend offering which
brings together a number of businesses. Possibly packages that could be
sold on the ferry. There are specific legal challenges around this but
the SSDA is happy to provide information and support. |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
Following this request we
delivered a webinar regarding the legislation of packaging and Linked travel
arrangements - i.e. the rules around how businesses can work together with
joint ticketing. We also fed into the
UK Government consultation advocating for a change to tehse rules to be more
supportive of business collaboration. Information page on SSDA
https://www.ssdalliance.com/winter-webinars-2023-2024/ |
Happy to support businesses to
collaborate if there is appetite for it. Informed by learning of previous
schemes |
|
90 |
Stranraer |
Start looking at how we can
better use Scotland Starts Here as a brand at Cairnryan, to get people coming
off the ferry to stop in the region rather than just pass through. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We are currently developing a
very significant, gamechanging proposition for this area |
We will be able to share this
game-changing proposition within the next couple of months. There is currently a power of work going on
in this area. |
|
91 |
Stranraer |
Support the marketing of the
Rhins Coastal Path. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Agreed action for promotion on
SSH website, promotion of path on launch, May 24 and support for a
collaborative social media campaign. |
Waiting further details of path,
images and copy. To include links on
the Stranraer and the Rhins area page; and update coastal path blog. |
|
92 |
Stranraer |
Lack of brown tourist signs and
some are out of date. Look to make representation with the relevant roads
authorities. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
We have had initial informal
discussions with both Councils, generally, about signage, representing the
concerns raised in these meetings |
Early in 2024 develop a
multi-agency action plan to move this forwards. We aim to make a firm ask of
the relevant public agencies, with the First Minister of Scotland, at
Convention of the South |
|
93 |
Stranraer |
Reach out to the caravan
parks. There are 29 parks in the area but they do not currently engage. |
Not Started |
Sarah |
To be included in SSH website
refresh. |
Contact Councils to understand
opportunities and existing collaboration, look at SSH and included in website
upgrade. |
|
94 |
Stranraer |
Lobby D&G Council to get the
tourism information sign facing the right way. |
Ongoing |
Sarah |
Waiting for response from
Stranraer Information Centre with regards location and action required. |
Arrange fix when details
confirmed. |
|
95 |
Stranraer |
Packages with the ferries |
Ongoing |
Gowan |
We have run a Linked Travel
Arrangement legislation webinar and fed into the call for evidence
https://www.ssdalliance.com/winter-webinars-2023-2024/. We have also run a
joint marketing campaign with DFDS ferries. |
We are actively developing a
major proposition for Stranraer which will aim to significantly increase
footfall from the ferries. Further
information to follow. We are soon to
start discussions with Stena and P&O. |
|
96 |
Stranraer |
Make representation with D&G
Council support services (procurement team) around: Streets not
clean , No toilets , Bins overflowing ,Joined up thinking – grass cutting on
Rhins path, will it be open for the official “opening” |
Not Started |
David |
We have developed a HUGELY
ambitious proposition to transform Stranraer's visitor economy and it has
strong support from the Stranraer Development Trust, SOSE and others. Have met with CEO of the Council and all
other relevant political leaders.
There is strong enthusiasm. |
We will be able to share this
game-changing proposition within the next couple of months. There is currently a power of work going on
in this area. |
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