Shropshire should do more to promote tourism in county, says MP

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has called for Shropshire's two councils to do more to promote the county as a tourist destination, adding that tourism played a key role in Shropshire's and Telford and Wrekin's economies.

Ironbridge Gorge attractions: More than 500,000 visitors per year: Blists Hill Victorian Town is one of the 10 museums operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

Royal Air Force Museum Cosford: More than 250,000 visitors per year. Free Royal Air Force museum, including National Cold War Exhibition. There were 184,808 visitors between April and September last year alone.

Severn Valley Railway: Around 250,000 visitors per year: The 16-mile line runs along the Severn Valley from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. Its busiest month is December for its Santa Specials.

Attingham Park: Around 370,000 visitors a year. National Trust country house and estate in Atcham, near Shrewsbury. Numbers have expanded since the development of an adventure play area.

The Wrekin: More than 80,000 visitors a year.

One of Shropshire's natural gems, with views across several counties to die for as a reward for all those walkers reaching the top.

In the Telford & Wrekin area alone, more than 3.6 million people visit attractions including the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and RAF Cosford.

And Telford has generated over £100 million to the local economy with business and events alone, with the added boost of Telford's new Southwater development.

But Mr Pritchard, who is vice chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Tourism, said leaders are too coy in boasting about the region.

He said: "Tourism plays a key role in Shropshire's and Telford and Wrekin's economy, but so much more could be done to attract more visitors to both the county and the borough.

"Shropshire has so much to offer, and so many businesses rely on tourism for their livelihoods, that more needs to be done to build on the good tourism promotion work that is already being done."

He has written to the Local Enterprise Partnership, and the leaders of Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council, asking "all major stakeholders" to do more to try to attract new and past visitors to Shropshire.

Mr Pritchard added: "Tourism plays a key role in Shropshire's and Telford and Wrekin's economy, but so much more could be done to attract more visitors to both the county and the borough.

"Shropshire has so much to offer, and so many businesses rely on tourism for their livelihoods, that more needs to be done to build on the good tourism promotion work that is already being done."

Mr Pritchard has also raised Shropshire's tourism attractions and potential in Parliament and asked for the county to attract more film-making. A new production of Dracula is set to be filmed in Shropshire, with attractions like the Severn Valley Railway, Aldenham Park and Ludlow Castle being used as locations.

Paul Gossage, spokesman for the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said he welcomed any drive to encourage people to visit, adding: "We welcome over half a million visitors from all over the country every year. As well as that seven per cent of the visitors are from over seas, with most of them coming from America.

"There is already a great tourism department but we would welcome any additional support that could help the industry."

Councillor Bill McClements, cabinet member with responsibility for tourism, said: "Telford & Wrekin Council is working tirelessly to promote the borough as a destination for people to visit.

"The Ironbridge Gorge is the jewel in our tourism crown for the borough and one of the UK's most loved World Heritage sites. A reflection of its importance of Ironbridge is that we have secured record investment for land stability to help protect it.

"We are a top destination for business tourism with one of the top 10 conference centres in the country.

"The new Southwater development, led by the Council, has been a major boost to this attraction, offering a night time economy and regional leisure destination with an IMAX cinema, ice rink, fabulous town park and shopping centre drawing visitors from near and far.

"Around 3.6 million trips are undertaken in Telford and Wrekin every year and tourism accounts for an approximate spend of £160 million.

"Tourism in the borough supports more than 5,600 jobs in the area and represents seven per cent of employment in the borough."