New map boards to boost Ludlow tourism
Ludlow's railway station will get new map boards and signs as part of a drive to make a town more tourist-friendly.
The station will also get a general clean-up as one of the projects being spearheaded by a newly-formed group aiming to boost tourism.
The plans were discussed at the first official Upload Ludlow meeting of Ludlow Destination Partnership, a group formed from traders and organisations in the town that have agreed to work together.
The group has been formed in response to dwindling funding and support for leisure and tourism from Shropshire Council. The authority's budgets for the sector look set to be cut to zero from 2017.
Initiatives already under way include a Welcome to Ludlow tourist pack for coach companies and plans for a What's On website.
The partnership includes venues and organisations such as Ludlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Ludlow Castle, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow Food Festival, the Church of St Laurence, Ludlow Fringe Festival, Ludlow Medieval Christmas Festival and Ludlow Town Council.
The meeting was held alongside the chamber of commerce's annual general meeting, which secretary Tish Dockerty said was the best attended she had seen.
"That's a very positive thing for the town," she said. The meeting included various presentations on possible projects for the town, she said.
"One thing is that we are currently working with Arriva Trains Wales on improving the station, with new orientation boards that will incorporate the map that visitors are given.
"It will have key visitor places on it and the best way into town from the station and so on.
"We'll be looking at new signage saying 'Welcome to Ludlow', which we are looking for a sponsor for now, and generally cleaning the station up, repainting the benches and so on. There will be two big planters put in that will be looked after by Ludlow in Bloom.
"Another thing we can do is formally 'adopt' the station and there is a conference coming up that we will be going to to see what that involves," she said.
The members also had an update on the town council's new Buttercross Museum.
