Moves to keep area firmly on the tourist trail

Apr 5 2003 By Hazel Ettienne, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Frank Thornton as Truly from Last of the Summer Wine

UPBEAT Kirklees Council aims to cash in on the area's spiralling tourist appeal.

Increased television filming in the district, major new housing developments, quality shopping and the reopening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal have all boosted interest in Kirklees.

A report to the council's regeneration scrutiny panel says that in view of these developments it was time to review its tourism activities and plan to exploit the "unprecedented potential" for tourism in Kirklees.

Plans for 2003/2004 include attracting more children and families to the area for day visits and campaigns promoting the area's walking, cycling, canal-related and activity facilities.

Also planned is the promotion of the Yorkshire Mill Mile, along the Bradford Road corridor between Dewsbury and Batley town centres.

The promotion of creative events in the centre of Huddersfield, under the Renaissance Town Marketing Initiative, is also planned.

The report said tourism was a key factor in the economic wellbeing of cities and rural and urban towns.

* The Yorkshire and Humber region's rural economy is recovering well after "bold and direct" action by development agency Yorkshire Forward following the foot and mouth crisis.

A new independent report shows that while the crisis took its toll on individual businesses, more than 5,000 jobs were safeguarded or created and more than 900 businesses.

The report - for the Government - says lessons should be learned from Yorkshire Forward's approach and should be used as a guide for other development agencies.

Hardship grants, individual business grants and £4m for a regional economic recovery programme focusing on business development, tourism, food and agriculture and the environment, helped during the crisis.