Tourism Business Engagement Officer, Neen Kelly, appointed to help local businesses make the most of the River Tweed Trail. Photo: Lloyd Smith
The £25 million Destination Tweed project has appointed destination development expert, Neen Kelly as Tourism Business Engagement Officer to help local businesses make the most of the opportunities provided by the planned River Tweed Trail.
Working within the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, Neen will spend the next eight months liaising with accommodation providers, food and drink outlets, attractions, tour companies and other businesses operating in the vicinity of the 113-mile source-to-sea trail to help them develop plans to maximise the potential economic benefits the trail is set to bring.
The River Tweed Trail will run from Moffat near the source of the Tweed, across the Scottish Borders and on to Berwick-upon-Tweed where the river meets the sea. As well as speaking to tourism businesses, Neen will also engage with service providers who have the potential to deliver an enhanced customer experience for Trail users. These include potential operators of baggage and people transfer services, food package providers, businesses that can offer wellness and creative experiences and those who could provide facilities including lockable bike storage, e-bike charging and drying rooms.
Neen has over 40 years’ experience within the tourism sector and has worked on behalf of a range of organisations including VisitScotland, South of Scotland Enterprise, the National Trust for Scotland, Cycling Scotland and Scottish Borders Council. Her new role will also involve connecting businesses with others in the community where collaborations may be possible, as well as directing them towards potential sources of support to assist with business development. Funding for Neen’s role has been provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The River Tweed Trail is expected to be finished by 2027/28 but the Destination Tweed team is keen to make sure businesses have plenty of time to plan for its completion.
Destination Tweed Project Director, Luke Fisher said:“The new River Tweed Trail will provide a host of economic opportunities across Dumfries & Galloway, the Scottish Borders and north Northumberland and we’re delighted to have Neen on board to ensure that businesses are aware of the potential benefits so they have time to put plans in place to make the most of them. We want to deliver the best possible experience for visitors using the new trail and know that there are many hardworking and resourceful business operators who are well placed to develop ideas that deliver those experiences and so create new revenue streams for themselves and the wider community. Neen will play an important role in driving this element of the Destination Tweed project forward.”
David Hope-Jones OBE, CEO of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance said; “We are excited to be working closely with Destination Tweed to support business engagement as the new River Tweed Trail is developed. The Tweed Trail will be a uniquely beautiful riparian walk – 113 miles winding its way through an incredible landscape with a rich history. We will be working with businesses and communities down the Tweed Valley to ensure this is a genuinely world-class attraction which helps power our visitor economy and supports community prosperity for generations to come.”
Any local businesses wishing to engage with Neen Kelly about the River Tweed Trail can get in touch by emailing neen@ssdalliance.com
With the River Tweed Trail at its core, Destination Tweed comprises 13 projects that will improve the landscape and river habitat and provide a unique experience for locals and visitors alike. Sensitive, impactful and innovative interpretation is planned to engage new and existing audiences, and cultural, education and environmental projects are already underway. A community grants scheme was recently launched and an archaeology initiative is being developed. All will combine to deliver significant economic, environmental, educational and social benefits to the South of Scotland and north Northumberland.
Destination Tweed is being delivered by Tweed Forum. Other partners involved in the project are Scottish Borders Council, Northumberland County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, South of Scotland Enterprise, Sustrans, Southern Uplands Partnership, Buglife, Borders Forest Trust, Tweedsmuir Community Company, SEPA, VisitScotland and NatureScot as well as landowners along the river.
Destination Tweed is supported by over 30 funders. It is one of the projects within the Borderlands Growth Deal, with major funding also coming from South of Scotland Enterprise, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sustrans, Northumberland County Council, EU Life, the Fallago Environment Fund and a range of Trusts and Foundations.
Destination Tweed is being delivered in stages over a five-year lifespan.
