West Stow Country Park is being marketed for leisure opportunities, as St Edmundsbury Borough Council looks at new ways of boosting both the appeal and income of the park.
The 125 acre site which attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year, is already home to an Anglo Saxon Village, built on the footings of the excavated original buildings and constructed using the same tools, techniques and materials that would have been used 1500 years ago. It also hosts an annual RingQuest event.
Now the borough council, which owns and manages the site, is looking at ways it can further improve the park’s appeal. One possible idea is for a camping and caravan site and St Edmundsbury is applying for planning permission should a business partner come forward who is interested in pursuing this venture.
The council has launched a market engagement exercise and hopes to discuss ideas with community groups, voluntary groups, as well as commercial operators.
It is interested in discussing ideas that will see additional services or facilities offered to the public.
Cllr Sarah Stamp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said: “We are striving to be more commercial and are looking across the board for new ways to increase income by exploring opportunities to work with commercial or community partners. That in turn will go some way towards offering greater protection for the facilities and services we know people value, and to the tax payer in terms of the amount they pay.
“This will hopefully create new jobs and add value to our wonderful Green Flag award winning country park. Where else can you learn ancient Anglo Saxon skills one week, see rampaging orcs the next, followed by a nice relaxing woodland walk by the river? West Stow Country Park already has a great deal to offer, but we are keen to look at ways that we can make it even better.”
Anybody interested in discussing a leisure proposal for West Stow Country Park should complete a form at www.suffolksourcing.co.uk
https://www.suffolksourcing.co.uk/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=230547 and return it no later than 9th February 2015. Alternatively you can contact richard.hartley@westsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01284 757055.
