North Nottinghamshire Tourist Association

Minutes of Club Meeting – 25^TH Sept 2007, the Hop Pole Hotel, Ollerton.

Apologies:

Geoff Ruffell

Joan Brown

June Ibbotson

Welcome to new members:

ShireHill Self Catering, Tuxford

Blaco Hill Farm

Membership continues to rise.

Minutes of the May 2007 meeting were read and approved.

Russell Slater – Town Centre Development Manager gave an interesting presentation on the development of Retford and Worksop, covering Car Parks, Markets, Museum & CCTV. Recent improvements are Retford Bus Station, Priory Shopping Centre redevelopment, Retford Museum. Ideas include Food Trail, Food Festival, Retford Walking Guide. Over £1m is planned for redevelopment of the Bassetlaw Museum (including restoration of the building)

Issues of Taxi shortages were raised, particularly at Retford Rail Station and Russell will enter into dialogue with GNER.

We could all help Russell by forwarding to him responses from our customers as to what attreacts them to the area and what we have to build on. Russell can be found on 01909 533269 and russell.slater@bassetlaw.gov.uk

Helen Sisson of Experience Nottinghamshire provided an update on the Robin Hood bid, confirming that we were through to the final and requesting everyone to publicise the importance of voting. In addition the Robin Hood Trail launch was presented.

Sandra Withinghton of Bassetlaw covered the Pilgrim Fathers weekend and updated the club on the airport, the new website developments for tourism.

It was asked why focus of financial support was on new businesses when many existing businesses were struggling. It was requested that a letter be sent to Bassetlaw to request consideration of funding in the latest budget, for strategies to support existing business.

The potential problems with traffic flow at Ollerton Roundabout were highlighted. Success in the Living Legend bid, and in any case increased tourism, will put even greater traffic flows around the roundabout yet there are no plans to address this issue. It would be appropriate for members to lobby Notts County Council (Chris Charnley and David Pick) and for links to the bid, Fay Booker and Austin Brady.

Update was provided on the club website, of particular note, the interactive map on the front page.