Businesses and attractions are being urged to find out more and get involved with the Cumbria Coastal Route (CCR), a developing long-distance route celebrating the area’s landscape, communities and heritage.
Free workshops have been arranged to give retailers, attractions and hospitality businesses along the coast the chance to get involved, share ideas and find out how they can benefit from being part of the CCR journey and find out some of the great opportunities available through the project.
The aim of the project is to highlight the coast’s distinctive character, attract new visitors and boost year-round footfall for local communities.
The workshops will take place at Holker Hall on Tuesday 17 February from 10am until 12.30pm, and Barrow Town Hall on Thursday 5 March from 10am to 12.30pm. The events will be hosted jointly by Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumbria Tourism, with Team Barrow supporting the Barrow workshop.
Book on the Holker Hall workshop.
The Cumbria Coastal Route project is led by Cumbria Tourism and supported by Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland councils. It aims to develop new experiences and itineraries along the entire coastline from Arnside to Silloth, including the stretch through Barrow and the wider Furness peninsula.
Developing the Cumbria Coastal Route into a sustainable, active travel route linking walking, cycling, train travel, horse riding, camping and other outdoor activities, is a key action in the county’s Destination Management Plan.
The aim is to highlight the coast’s distinctive character, attract new visitors and boost year-round footfall for local communities.
The southern Cumbrian coast offers stunning coastal scenery and beaches, festival and events, industrial heritage and the award-winning Dock museum.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Cabinet Member for the economy, said: "Westmorland and Furness may have a relatively short coastline but it is one packed with culture, fascinating heritage and attractions galore. The Cumbria Coastal Route has the potential to drive significant visitor footfall to overlooked areas and bring real economic benefits.
"I would urge any businesses who are interested to try to attend one of the workshops to find out what they can add to the mix and what the benefits could be for them."