With two brilliant Tourism Exchange events and the launch of ESL’s official 2023 guide book to the region, everything is in place for Herefordshire to welcome Easter visitors to kick off the Tourism season.
It was SO good to get back to some ‘proper’ networking and March saw us hold two Tourism Exchange events to the North and South of Herefordshire.
Labels Shopping in Ross-on-Wye and Burton Court in Eardisland provided brilliant spaces to host businesses to meet, chat, exchange promotional literature and to hear the journey of Covid success story Choccotastic in Ledbury (who launched during the pandemic) and Newton Court Cider’s brand new visitor centre near Leominster.
Of course there was delicious chocolate tasting, washed down with the freshest apple juice and cider, and also very useful information from Accessible Herefordshire, who’s aim is to make destinations more accessible and inclusive.
HIRE THE GATEWAY
Label’s Gateway Cinema auditorium is a perfect private area to host presentations (in this case a tasty talk on the difference between Belgian artisan and ‘commercial’ chocolate … yes samples were consumed) and for pre-talk socialising over refreshments at the cinema cafe.
Not only is this great for businesses, but perfect for party events like birthdays (private screenings and catering) and other celebrations. Just contact the events team to discuss requirements.
BURTON COURT
Seven years ago ESL held its first official forum at this beautiful manor and it was almost emotional to be back, now in our eighth year and having achieved so much.
Ed and Helen Simpson were consummate hosts, highly experienced at holding corporate events, weddings and private functions, themed events and also operating as a luxury B&B with their three stylish bedrooms.
Ed led a fascinating tour of his historic family home, enhanced by the vibrant display of daffodils in the beautiful grounds.
Thank you to all those who attended, who shared their business plans and insights and for your continuing support of ESL and our Tourism work. There’s lots more to come, so stay tuned!
2023 Ultimate guide books
With three editions covering Herefordshire, The Wye Valley and The Marches, it’s a mammoth task to get our annual guide books together – every word has to be researched and written, every e-link checked, every business contacted, every advert designed (proofed .. corrected … approved), every image selected and edited, every centimetre planned and styled, and finally it goes to print!
This time we bought our paper stock in advance last autumn, to retain ever-rising rates (which were already up by 43%!). We also wanted/needed to print more copies due to demand, so even though we had more advertisers than ever, we only covered the humongous added costs.
We’ve refined our distribution, again working with trusted partners, and doing much directly ourselves, and our postal costs are HUGE!
We don’t even charge for the books.
And it doesn’t stop there – planning for 2024 has already started, as have the bookings!
Covering Herefordshire, The Wye Valley and The Marches, we think these are our best editions yet. Vibrantly inviting, they really do inspire even those of us that actually eat, sleep and live in the area to go out and rediscover our doorstep.
Our reward is seeing them go flying off the stands and watching visitors devour them page-by-page, sticking in tabs and making notes of where to go. No internet required.
We receive no public support funding to produce or distribute them … nor do we for any of the other tourism services we provide. We do it all purely with the backing of our Members and Advertisers, and our passion for Herefordshire.
8 Years on we must be doing something right.
If you’d like your business to be in the 2024 Ultimate Herefordshire guide book series contact info@eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk for details. They are the ONLY guide books to the region.
In the meantime, check out our HEREFOODIE annual food & drink book – we are just closing our 2023 edition now. There’s still time to book in your restaurant, deli, drinks business, cookery courses, tearoom etc and reach a targeted foodie audience. See info here.
If you are interested in becoming an ESL Business Member with all the promotional benefits, look here and contact us on info@eatsleepliveherefordsshire.co.uk