Decision details

The Portfolio Holder for Growth will be asked to consider a funding allocation of £25,000 per year for two years to the DMO. The allocation of the second year funding would be subject to receipt of satisfactory outcomes from the first year of funding.

RESOLVED:

That £50,000 be funded over one year, to allow the DMO to continue their activity.  There will be a Service Level Agreement in place with clear objectives set out to ensure partnership working between the DMO and West Suffolk Council.

In 2015 along with partners, the Bury St Edmunds and Beyond Destination Management Organisation (DMO) was established to drive the marketing and promotion of Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area to increase visitors, overnight stays and increase the value of tourism to the local economy.

Following the first three years of funding from West Suffolk Council, the DMO had been very successful in promoting and marketing Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area as a tourist destination.  The value of tourism increased from £47.2m (2016) to £51.4m (2018).  The number of trips had also grown from 744,000 (2016) to 885,000 (2018).

The DMO had now approached all funding partners to seek further funding to continue the momentum of activity and to provide security as they continue to market and promote the area in addition to seeking alternative income streams to develop a more sustainable model for the future.

West Suffolk Council could decide not to provide further funding to the DMO, but this may prove detrimental to Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area with regard to the promotion and marketing as a tourist destination.