Destination plan will have one clear message

Work promoting Newtown as a destination for visitors, shoppers and businesses will ensure improved messaging and consistency in how the town is promoted, a report says.

On Tuesday, MyNewtown reported how an agency is to be appointed to promote Newtown as a destination by Newtown Town Council.

The Discover Newtown project was planned before coronavirus, but the council believes it is now even more important.

A report provided to town councillors on Monday says the town has had a problem with different stakeholders promoting it in different ways.

It said: "The proposed development of a branding exercise for Newtown has been identified by local partners and businesses to help establish Newtown as a destination for all and which joins all heritage together.

"Discussions in recent years have highlighted how local stakeholders talk in different ways about the town, in particular; what it has to offer, what attracts people to the town and how to make the most of opportunities, build resilience and develop capacity for the future."

The key objectives are:

1. Engage residents –connect residents to the whole town, building their confidence, harness their energy, curating their stories to show how they are the story of Newtown.

2.Evolve Perception –Build on the town strengths to enhance local and regional perception of Newtown.

3.Attract Investment –draw on the shared perception to build an understanding amongst inward investment and development for future opportunities.

4.Attracting Visitors –increase spend in the tourism sector by continuing to attract a higher value and longer staying visitor.

A tender is expected to be advertised soon for an agency to bid for the work.