Last updated 09:59, Friday, 28 November 2008

FRESH eyes and some vigorous brainstorming will be brought into play as Hexham takes a new approach to tourism.

Consultants have been appointed to audit the town in the first step to drawing up a tourism development plan designed to build on its assets.

In an initiative run by Northumberland Strategic Partnership through Northumberland Tourism, market town welcome destination plans have already been drawn up for Haltwhistle, Alnwick, Berwick, Amble, Seahouses and Wooler.

Haltwhistle Partnership officer Gillian Cowell told organisations attending an open meeting hosted by Hexham Community Partnership what they could expect.

“The process, led by the town’s key stakeholders, will identify what makes Hexham attractive to tourists – just what are its unique selling points,” she said.

“In Haltwhistle, we undertook an audit during which we looked at the town as a visitor would arriving for the first time.

“What is it like arriving by train, where is the parking located, what are the cafes like, when are they open? We drew up an honest list of Haltwhistle’s strengths and weaknesses.”

The ideas that came out of a subsequent brainstorming session were then fed into the new tourism plan, which was published in June.

Hexham Community Partnership officer Tamsin Beevor said Hexham aimed to follow Haltwhistle’s example.