Partnership aims to use Newark's rich history to attract tourists
A tourism partnership is being planned to help attract more visitors to Newark.
The town should make more of its rich history and architecture and aspire to be more like popular tourism destinations such as Harrogate or Bath, according to a report presented to Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Among the organisations expected to be involved in the partnership are the district, county and town councils, Newark Business Club, local attractions including Newark Air Museum, Visit England and Visit Britain.
The project would promote Newark for its Civil War heritage and cultural appeal as part of the council’s wider strategy to attract more tourists to the district.
It would encourage those involved to tell the history and stories of Newark in a visitor-friendly way.
Stories could cover Newark’s pre-history, such as the Newark Torc, through to Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval England, including King John’s death at Newark Castle.
Newark was a key strategic stronghold during the first Civil War and, the report says, in St Mary Magdalene Church, has England’s tallest parish church.
The report draws attention to the strong links the church has to the Civil War story, which includes a cannonball hole in its spire.
It also talks about Newark’s role in Regency England as a thriving coaching town on the road north.
Another draw could be the town’s second world war links, including the Polish airmen who were stationed in the area, and Newark Air Museum on what was RAF Winthorpe.
'A breadth and depth of history'
Jennifer Spencer, of Trent Bank House Consultants, drew up a Destination Management Plan for Newark that recommends setting up a management group to promote the town as a tourist destination.
She said: “Newark and Sherwood boasts an enviable number of heritage assets that other districts do not have, such as the historic town of Newark, the minster town of Southwell and the world’s most famous forest, Sherwood Forest, and the legend of Robin Hood.
“There are few, if any, towns of Newark’s size that can offer such a breadth and depth of history.”
Jennifer Spencer highlighted Newark’s role as a Royalist stronghold in the English Civil War, the restored Georgian ballroom at Newark Town Hall and the town’s links with Polish heritage as examples of its rich history.
She said overnight visitors to Newark and Sherwood spent almost seven times more than day visitors, which benefited hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars.
Her report highlighted the fact that in 2016, Newark had 451,860 visitors, which generated £25.32m.
The committee was told that Southwell had formed a successful tourism partnership some years ago and the proposed tourism partnership in Newark would be similar.
The chairman of the economic development committee, Mr David Lloyd, said, in time, a Sherwood Tourism Partnership would be created for the western side of the district.
Councillors approved the Destination Management Plan for Newark and agreed to establish a steering group to deliver it.
They also agreed to create a marketing post to promote Newark and Sherwood as a tourist destination.
- An independent, separate project, Visit Newark, already exists to promote tourist attractions in Newark and the surrounding area.
Its website lists attractions, places to stay, places to eat and drink, events, festivals and what’s on in the town.
