Unique new arts hub to host Pendle Tourism Conference
The Garage, at Northlight in Brierfield, is arts organisation In-Situ’s new base and will be showcased at the event on Friday 19 October from 9am with lunch at around 12.15pm. Anyone working in the visitor, leisure and cultural economy in Pendle is being invited to see the new creative hub and find out more about Pendle’s tourism economy at the free event.
Tourism Officer Mike Williams organiser of the conference said: “It’s a great opportunity to exchange latest news and we have an excellent line-up of speakers including In-Situ’s Paul Hartley, who’ll be introducing The Garage.
“And it’s a networking opportunity for anyone involved in the visitor economy, including retailers and people running cafes, restaurants, pubs, B&Bs, holiday cottages, visitor attractions and event organisers.
“Tourism has a growing importance in Pendle,” explained Mike “Over 2.7 million tourism visitors bring over £116 million into Pendle’s economy – this is almost 8% more than the previous year.”
The theme for this year’s conference is connections and is designed for businesses working in Pendle’s visitor economy.
The conference is FREE including lunch but booking is essential as places are limited.
Places can be booked by emailing: [email protected] or by calling him on 01282 661963.
The conference includes talks from the new Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, Rachel McQueen. Delegates will also hear about exciting developments in the new Pendle Hill Partnership from Nick Hunt, Creative Director of Mid Pennine Arts.
Nick said: “We are leading the Pendle Radicals project which will explore some fascinating social history and create a new visitor trail.”
Other speakers at the Tourism Conference include Jane Daunt, Director at Boundary Mill.
The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor James Keith Starkie, who’s on the board of the new Pendle Hill Partnership, will launch the Conference.
The full agenda is on the Visit Pendle website www.visitpendle.com/information/tourism-conference or via this direct link http://www.visitpendle.com/information/tourism-conference
The Tourism Conference is part of Pendle Business Week 2018 which runs from 15 to 19 October and there are free sessions of benefit to tourism businesses including making the most of social media.
More details on Business Week here
Councillor Paul White added:
“This is a great opportunity to see the transformation at our landmark mill which covers a huge seven acre site with stunning views out to Pendle Hill.
“The Garage is the next piece in the jigsaw in fulfilling our ambitious plans to create a £32 million working, living, leisure and cultural destination for the North West.
“It’s fitting that it should be the location for this year’s Pendle Tourism Conference.
Pendle Enterprise And Regeneration Ltd (PEARL) is the joint venture company of Pendle Council and Barnfield Investment Properties which owns Northlight.
Councillor White, who is also a PEARL board member said:
“In-Situ has seen the huge potential of Northlight from the start and it’s fantastic to see their plans to create a permanent base at our iconic mill reaching fruition.
Paul Hartley, Founder Director of In-Situ said:
“This exciting new development is the next big step for In-Situ.
It means we’ll have a permanent and innovative arts space and can expand our work, creating a positive impact in Pendle.
“The re-developed eco-friendly building can be enjoyed and used by both the community and visitors.
“It includes an art library, exhibition and event space, pop up cinema and artists’ accommodation,” he said.