New shuttle service could boost Oswestry tourism
A joint initiative to bring people to Shropshire's British Ironwork Centre visitor attraction and explore nearby Oswestry has been launched.
Over recent months, Oswestry Chamber of Commerce members and committee officials have been discussing ways to drive more visitors to the high street.
Through this, it was suggested that a shuttle service between the Ironwork Centre and Oswestry town centre on some of the centre’s busiest days of the year could provide an opportunity to increase tourism for all parties involved.
This discussion was then put forward to Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID) and Oswestry Borderland Tourism, who collectively approached the Ironwork Centre to propose their idea in March.
Several meetings have taken place between the three over ensuring that the town’s tourism can increasingly benefit from the Ironwork Centre’s popularity.
There will now be an official Ironwork Shuttle which will run from the centre to Oswestry town on notable holidays and busier days of the year - beginning on the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Publicised
Oswestry-based Owen’s Coaches have jumped on board to provide the shuttle. The bus will be promoted and publicised to all the Ironwork Centre's 110,000-plus members and visitors as a unique opportunity to explore all that Oswestry has to offer in tandem with their visit to the centre.
There will be no cost to BID members and it will be principally funded from donations collected at the centre.
Clive Knowles, chairman of The British Ironwork Centre said: “We are delighted to help trial this and, of course, for the visitors to the town and area it could be the cherry on top of what will be a wonderful day. I’m hoping to persuade Whittington Castle to get involved."
Mark Derham, chairman of Oswestry Chamber of Commerce said: “We are hoping that this will be a regular feature and it will be the first of many occasions that the shuttle will run, especially on days when the town centre will be particularly busy. It’s a great opportunity for visitors who may not know the town of Oswestry to explore our lovely market town."
Lee Lucks, chairman of Oswestry Borderland Tourism, said: "On dedicated days, the shuttle will run every hour from 11am-3pm. The first official launch of the Ironworks Shuttle will be taking place on May 25.
"Along with the British Ironworks themselves, Oswestry Borderland Tourism and Oswestry BID will be promoting the shuttle trips and they will have details of dates and times when visitors can hop aboard on their websites. It’s a great opportunity for visitors who may not know the town of Oswestry to explore our lovely market town."
