Press Release 31 July 2019
New Website and Video Launched to Help Put Calne on the Tourist Map
A new tourism website has been jointly launched by VisitWiltshire and Calne Our Place, offering visitors to the region a detailed description of what Calne has on offer. The single destination website is a channel site of VisitWiltshire’s website, which currently features sites for Salisbury and Swindon. To visit the website: www.visitcalne.co.uk
The new, mobile-friendly website has been developed in partnership with VisitWiltshire and Calne Our Place, an independent, voluntary group made up of residents, councillors, local business members, and Calne Town Council staff. The website is part of a bigger project set-up as the result of the group’s ambition to raise the town’s profile, increase tourism and economic spend, and in turn, help make the Calne a better place to live.
The website design is in keeping with Calne Our Place’s branding and offers users an integrated platform about Calne, which includes information on upcoming events, activities food and drink offerings, bookable accommodation, shopping, arts and culture, special offers, inspiration ideas and advice on planning a visit. An enhanced itinerary planning tool is also available on the website, as well as a new promotional video, called Calne A to B.
David Dillamore, Leader of the Calne Great West Way Tourist Group, said: "After lengthy planning and working together in mutually beneficial partnerships, we are delighted to be able to launch the new VisitCalne website and video, Calne A to B. Both have been designed to promote Calne as a unique destination on the Great West Way and satisfy our objectives of increasing visitor footfall and economic spend in the community of Calne."
Councillor Robert Merrick, Mayor of Calne, said: “To see Calne move on in the next stage of its tourism life is fantastic. Calne is a welcoming place which offers a true Wiltshire atmosphere where you will feel part of the community each and every time you visit."
Fiona Errington, Marketing Manager at VisitWiltshire, said: “We have been working closely with Calne Our Place to help raise Calne’s profile and we were thrilled to have been asked to support the group in their desire to develop its online presence.
“The new website is a designated site but can also be accessed from the VisitWiltshire website. In the past, Calne has sometimes found itself in the shadow of other neighbouring towns, but thanks to a proactive community group and with support from local stakeholders, Calne is doing a fantastic job of progressing its plans to develop its profile and increase tourism, which the website will support.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Calne A to B Video and the www.visitcalne.co.uk website have been part funded by the LEADER Grant provided by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
ABOUT CALNE OUR PLACE
Calne Our Place is an independent, voluntary group with residents joining business members, community groups, councillors and town council staff in a drive to engage visitors and put Calne and surrounding villages, on the tourist map.
An integral part of Calne Our Place is the Calne Great West Way Tourism Group.
ABOUT THE GREAT WEST WAY®
Calne is an Ambassador of the Great West Way, a new 125-mile touring route from London to Bristol.
The Great West Way is one of a number of successful projects to receive funding from the UK Government’s £40 million Discover England Fund, administered by VisitEngland. For further information go to www.discoverenglandfund.org
The Story of the Great West Way booklet is available at www.GreatWestWay.co.uk/storyoftheGreatWestWay
Great West Way and England’s Great West Way are registered trademarks.
For further information, please contact:
Holly Windsor, PR and Communications Manager at VisitWiltshire
hollywindsor@visitwiltshire.co.uk
01722 324888/ 07444 601421