Businesses get advice on new bridleway (From Craven Herald)

Businesses get advice on new bridleway

9:30am Saturday 21st November 2009 in

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Business people will have the chance later this month to learn how to cash in on a project unfolding in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

A workshop is being organised by Natural England and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) to encourage businesses to take advantage of opportunities as new sections of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail open in the Yorkshire Dales.

Malcolm Petyt, the YDNPA’s member champion for recreational management, said: “In the Yorkshire Dales, the Settle Loop, which opened in August 2005, has already proved very popular with visitors and is a taste of the high standard of national trail routes to come.

“Visitors can enjoy the spectacular scenery and businesses have already opened or expanded to service visitors.

“Over the next two years, new sections of the Pennine Bridleway will be opening in the north of the national park, providing a continuous route through it into Cumbria.

“These new and restored bridleways will provide fantastic opportunities for new businesses including the provision of accommodation and refreshments for riders, cyclists and walkers, stabling and horse box parking and baggage transport.

“We would like to thank the landowners and farmers for their help in creating the route through the Dales. It provides a unique opportunity for local businesses to develop and diversify in line with the principles of sustainable tourism.”

The free workshop will take place at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes on Wednesday. Speakers will focus on the new sections of the trail and explain how local businesses can start up or diversify to meet the needs of these new customers.

Advice will be available on users’ requirements, marketing, business start up, planning issues, funding and sustainable tourism.

Anna Righton, Natural England Pennine Bridleway project manager, said: “A series of short presentations and the opportunity to engage with the speakers one-to-one will provide local business people with a fantastic opportunity to learn more about sections of the trail near them, share ideas, network and consider the planning that might be required to develop their business.”

If you would like to attend please contact Sheila Ogden on 0300 060 1826.