Published at 11:00, Tuesday, 31 July 2012

A GROUP set up to boost tourism in Furness has published a leaflet about Furness Abbey.

INFORMATION: Tim Bell, chairman of Boosting Barrow and Furness Group, at Furness Abbey with the leaflets HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50036787B000

Furness Abbey, In The Vale Of Nightshade, was produced by the Boosting Barrow and Furness group in an attempt to boost visitor numbers at the attraction.

Tim Bell, chairman of Boosting Barrow and Furness said: “We noticed that visitor numbers had fallen from 12,000 in 2003 to only 7,000 in 2011 and decided to try and help the Abbey remain sustainable as a local attraction and improve the visitor experience.

“We quickly identified that the main problem was a lack of marketing or leaflets to promote the Abbey.

“With the help of English Heritage and the Abbey House Hotel, we have produced a quality leaflet with beautiful photos and a wealth of accurate, historical information.”

The group are hoping that the leaflets will help to attract thousands of visitors.

“Our aim is to have 10,000 visitors walk through the Abbey’s doors this year.

“Furness Abbey is the jewel in the crown of Furness and a very special place. It is not only part of local history, but it also influenced a lot of the Furness area.

“The recent discovery of the grave of a Cistercian abbot has helped to raise the abbey’s profile and I am hoping that our leaflet will give it even more momentum.”

Furness Abbey, In The Vale Of Nightshade, is the first in a series of leaflets, designed to encourage tourism in Furness.

“Our group are currently in the middle of creating a Sense Of Place brochure, which will promote
Furness as a desirable place to live, work, and visit.

“We believe in joined up marketing – bringing attractions, councils and businesses together to all work for the same end goal.

“Diversity is our strength in Furness, as we have lots of interesting attractions such as the Manjushri Buddhist Centre, Laurel and Hardy Museum, and the Dock Museum. The potential here is phenomenal and the key is bringing all the information together in one place.”

The leaflets can be downloaded at http://tinyurl.com/cycj6uy.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk