MORE than 30 businesses in Whitchurch have joined forces with a destination management organisation to drive more tourism to the town.

The businesses, including cafes, restaurants, antique emporiums, sustainable lifestyle stores and creative gift shops have joined with Visit Shropshire to help the town attract more people.

Mark Hooper, project lead at Visit Shropshire, said he was looking forward to working with businesses across the town to help them grow their reach.

He said: "It’s great to be starting to work with the businesses of Whitchurch and to see such high support for the visitor economy from so many businesses is brilliant.

"Over the past three years, Visit Shropshire has become a vital cog in the visitor economy of the county.

"Working with the businesses of Whitchurch we will help to ensure an unforgettable Shropshire welcome and experience for all, and with strategic marketing we will continue to promote Shropshire to new and existing audiences across the UK and beyond.

"We will reach far and wide to support our members, encouraging sustainable practices and digital innovation, while also providing strong leadership of the Shropshire visitor economy and can’t wait to bring more people to the thriving town of Whitchurch."

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Mark says membership is being driven by Lucy Young, owner of interior accessories and gift store Homefolk, who says Whitchurch is cultivating a growing reputation.

"Whitchurch is fast becoming a go-to shopping destination with its abundance of independent shops, boutiques, and great places to eat and drink," she said.

"As a border market town, we’re easily reached by car and rail – we’re within 30 minutes travel from Chester, Wrexham, Oswestry, Nantwich, Shrewsbury, Telford and Crewe – yet we’re surrounded by the most fabulous countryside and canal waterways.

"It’s the perfect place for day-trippers or those looking for a staycation break.

"And for anyone looking for some history, Whitchurch is steeped in medieval heritage and it’s still a thriving market town, with a weekly farmers market and a monthly Artisan market on the first Saturday of the month."

When established in 2019, Visit Shropshire was formed with the aim to increase this amount and to maximise the economic benefits of tourism for all sectors in the county.

In recent years Whitchurch has seen a number of new stores and restaurants open in the town including Wild Shropshire, ran by chef and owner James Sherwin and FSB 2022 Start up business of the year Moo and Boom, owned by Maddie Ashbrook.

Mark added: "Visit Shropshire looks set to continue to bring economic benefits and growth to the county and looks forward to working with the businesses of Whitchurch in the year ahead."