Firms see benefits of new bus route

Apr 18 2008 by Naomi Dunning, Chester Chronicle

RURAL tourism businesses will be linked by a new bus service which will travel along the A49.

Firms include Blakemere craft village, in Sandiway, The Hollies Farm Shop, Cabbage Hall, Nunsmere Hall Hotel and Cheshire Polo Club, all in Little Budworth.

Also involved are The Alvanley Arms and Shire Horse Centre, Cotebrook, and MacDonald Portal Hotel, The Old Fire Station Chocolate Shop, The Swan Hotel and other outlets in Tarporley.

With the backing of Vale Royal Borough Council, the businesses based between Sandiway and Tarporley joined forces to raise awareness of the area and encourage visitors from the North West, the country and overseas.

To launch the enterprise, representatives from businesses joined Andrea Peattie, tourism manager for Vale Royal Borough Council, and sight-seeing bus company BusyBus, to take a closer look at the complete visitor experience on an open-top vintage bus.

Miss Peattie said: “It is a way for the businesses to promote each other, and let their customers know what the other businesses are offering. For example, a hotel might offer a special package for those who wish to go and watch the polo.

“Bus trips like this are just the start, they hope to produce leaflets and other promotional material to encourage people to the area.

“Although the idea was to attract day visitors and short break holiday makers, during the launch tour everyone agreed there is plenty along this stretch of the A49 to encourage people to come back again.”