Sheriff's America trip 'immensely useful'
A DELEGATION from the city led by the Sheriff of Nottingham has declared a visit to America "immensely useful".
The group visited attractions across the United States to help inform plans for how to celebrate the legend of Robin Hood back in Nottingham.
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THINKING BIG: The Sheriff of Nottingham next to one of the Golden Gate towers during his trip to America.
The Sheriff, Coun Leon Unczur, headed the team. He is the chairman of the Sheriff's Commission, set up by Nottingham City Council, to deliver a report into new visitor attractions in the city.
It was set up after the Tales of Robin Hood in Maid Marian Way closed, which meant Nottingham has no dedicated visitor attraction for its legend.
The party visited up to 30 attractions between them and covered more than 12,000 miles in nine days.
It has left Coun Unczur and his colleagues, who included Nick Hammond from Castle College, Tim Garratt, Director of Property Consultants Innes England, and John Lyle from Purple Circle, convinced that Nottingham must aim high if it is to have an impact.
Coun Unczur said: "The attraction has to be iconic. I don't use that word lightly. It has to be something that makes people say 'wow' in response to its physical appearance and the experience of visiting it."
Coun Unczur has also been left with a clear view of the need to bring the Robin Hood story to life and to educate visitors.
He was impressed by some aspects of the attractions in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where The Mayflower II and Plimoth Plantation record the arrival and early lives of the Pilgrim Fathers who travelled from Britain to America in the 17th century.
There the characters are totally authentic, according to Coun Unczur. In one instance, a character depicting a cabin boy recoiled from the offer of a handshake because that was not a gesture anyone would have attempted at that time.
"It came over as very real," said Coun Unczur. "You felt you were part of that time. You can educate people in an entertaining way.
"I would like to see an attraction that excites all ages, from a child of three through to a person of at least 103."
The results of the trip, which cost the city council £10,000 – private sector participants paid their own way – will appear in a report that will be presented to the Sheriff's Commission.
Coun Unczur said: "It was a study. We took notes, drew conclusions. The findings will be presented to the commission."
John Lyle, director of brands at the Nottingham design agency, Purple Circle, is a member of the Sheriff's Commission and he paid his own way on the trip.
He said: "It was immensely useful and incredibly good value. There was an enormous amount to learn."
Mr Lyle said that having viewed some of the States' best attractions he felt the vital ingredients of a successful project are authenticity, attention to detail, iconography and sufficient cash to deliver.
Mr Lyle is also convinced that a top-notch attraction will prove expensive.
He said: "It is going to take serious cash."
charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
14 Comments
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by A. Regular Reader, Nottingham
Saturday, September 26 2009, 2:55PM
“"Mr Lyle is also convinced that a top-notch attraction will prove expensive."
Let's hope that city taxpayers are entitled to substantial discounts when using whatever facility. That might encourage us to promote it to visitors. It works for me with the castle.”
by arthur, Bulwell
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 4:02PM
“Surely, in business, there's nothing quite like the personal touch. Whilst video conferencing etc. may help, a face-to-face sale usually counts for more.
Anyone on-line will be bombarded with spam about little blue pills that go from spam to trash. Someone turning up on my doorstep at least has the chance to put a human face to what's on offer.
If that doen't make sense to some of you whingers, then stop reading now.
£10,000 seems a reasonable cost for sending the public sector rep. along in this business entourage. I wouldn't even begrudge the guy from buying the occasional round of beers for his hosts, or phoning his kids to tell 'em he loves them and will be home soon.
And if you think that £10,000 would make a serious contribution to subsidising a visitor attraction, or paying for a marketing scheme, or laying on infrastructure for new developments, then you really need to start living in the real world.”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 3:42PM
“Put it this way:
We all know how important Robbin Hood is to Nottingham.
We all know how good Americans are at marketing; look at Macdonalds ETC.
Put 2 and 2 together and you make...
I am sure that he would be criticised had he used the internet as some have suggested rather than getting some first hand, real world experience.
Simple!”
by Doc, Farnborough Road
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 3:28PM
“Modicum of Intelligence.
That's about all you are showing mate!
So it does not matter how our public servants spend our money then?
You must be one of them to have such a amoral attitude regarding others hard earned cash.”
by Have A Go Hero, Nottingham
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 12:28PM
“Doc, Farnborough Road commented
A lot better than stuffing it down the Drains.
Sorry Doc but there wouldn't be room to stuff anything down the drains because the drains are blocked solid with leaves and debris.
Maybe if the council spent money and time cleaning them out there would be room.
If this Labour Council spent time and money looking after all those that blindly vote labour in then we may be getting Value for our money”
by Noddy, Toyland
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 10:49AM
“Like water off a ducks back. Why do we waist our time making comments when they don't give a toss. I bet we all forget about this trip when he goes on his next one. There I go waisting another two minutes.”
by Modicum of intelligence, Nottingham
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 10:38AM
“Gracious me! What a lot of ungracious, cynical little whingers!
Money gets spent - deal with it. You're never going to be able to allocate your tax £s to suit your own personal needs and values, so instead of being eaten up by your own futile bitterness, why not make some valuable suggestions and comments about this and perhaps add some value of your own? Especially if you're as clever and insightful as you seem to think you are...”
by Doc, Farnborough Road
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 10:16AM
“A fantastic attraction would be if Coun Collins and his Merry Band invited us all to a Bonfire of Taxpayers money in the Square.
5 or 6 million in fivers and tenners would make a lovely sight going up in smoke. A lot better than stuffing it down the Drains which could be a sideshow of the main event.
Make it in December and then the oldies who have put off putting on the Central Heating due to costs will at least be able to come along to warm themselves.
It's only Money . . . your Money!”
by Liz, Notts
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 10:13AM
“£10,000 would have been better used as an actual investment into whatever attractions are planned rather than a holiday.!”
by Frustrated, Nottm
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 8:49AM
“"immensely useful".
It has left Coun Unczur and his colleagues convinced that Nottingham must aim high if it is to have an impact".
"A top-notch attraction will prove expensive".
"It is going to take serious cash."
"I would like to see an attraction that excites all ages, from a child of three through to a person of at least 103."
As Nottsdweller says OBVIOUS !!!!!!!!!!!.”