Cowbridge appoints agency to boost visitor numbers

The Cowbridge Chamber of Trade has appointed a PR agency for the first time to help boost visitor numbers to the town.

Cardiff-based freshbaked PR has been brought on board, following a four-way pitch, to promote the historic market town as a preferred tourist destination for short-break visitors.

The agency, which is part of the freshbaked Business Services Group, will work alongside the Chamber of Trade to develop and promote a number of breaks and events in order to build a strong, sustainable, year-round demand from visitors.

Located in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cowbridge and the surrounding areas, has received significant investment from Creative Rural Communities, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s rural regeneration project, to improve tourism in the area.

Alun John, chairman of Cowbridge Chamber of Trade said: “The effect of the recession on small towns and rural communities across the UK has been well reported and unfortunately Cowbridge has not been immune to these pressures. In addition, the recent completion of St David’s 2 and John Lewis in Cardiff, as well as the stores at Culverhouse Cross, has heightened Cowbridge’s competition for status as a quality shopping destination. However, we realise that Cowbridge and the surrounding Vale of Glamorgan has an extensive list of reasons to visit the area appealing to both the day visitors and the short break market.

“Consequently, we have brought on board a PR agency for the first time to help us raise awareness and the profile of Cowbridge, and in hand increase the number of short break and holiday visitors to the area. Thanks to funding from Creative Rural Communities, this is one of a number of projects to raise the quality of facilities and boost the performance of the tourism sector in the rural Vale of Glamorgan.

“freshbaked PR showed a great understanding of our needs, strategic thinking and creativity during the pitch process and we’re looking forward to working with them to increase the profile of Cowbridge among our consumer audience.”

Established in 2008 freshbaked PR has quickly made its mark on the PR sector in Wales winning ‘Outstanding Small Consultancy of the Year’ at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Cymru PRide Awards in 2009 after just a year of business.

Account Director of freshbaked PR, Lyndsey Jenkins, said: “Even in Wales, there appears to be a lack of awareness about what Cowbridge and the surrounding area has to offer. Just a stone’s throw from Cardiff, the area has fantastic shops, restaurants and heritage, as well as picturesque countryside and a dramatic coastline. It is the perfect place for a short break, and thanks to investment from Creative Rural Communities into the tourism sector, we want to exploit its potential as a short-break destination.

“We are naturally delighted to beat off stiff competition from established PR agencies in Cardiff to win this account and look forward to boosting our tourism credentials, which includes launching the first Radisson Blu Hotel and providing PR support for Jolyons Boutique Hotel and Wales' largest serviced apartment provider, A Space in the City.”

For further information on this press release, please contact freshbaked PR at pr@freshbaked.co.uk. freshbaked PR is a Cardiff based public relations agency which represents a number of private and public sector organisations in the Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol business communities, as well as Newport in south Wales, home of golf’s 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort Hotel. For clients based in Cardiff, PR agency services are provided from the Head Office in The Maltings.