The place to visit for staycations
Hopes for summer bookings
TOURISM-RELATED BUSINESSES in Calderdale are hinging their hopes on the borough’s film and TV sector to help boost the economy after lockdown.
Last week, the Courier reported that tourism figures showed 2019 was the best year ever for the borough’s visitor economy.
And hoteliers in the area are hoping that visitor numbers will rise again once life starts to return to normal thanks to the numerous attractions Calderdale has to offer.
Philip and Adele Hopkins have owned Hough House for nearly 15 years whilst working in the hospitality business for over 20 years, previously owning and running successful restaurants and pubs in the area. After semi retiring in 2019 they converted their family home into bed and breakfast Shibden Hall View.
“We only opened last year and the business we got through Shibden Hall was amazing, probably 70 per cent of our bookings were because of Shibden Hall and Gentleman Jack,” said Philip.
“That was part of the reason we decided to open. We’ve got quite a few bookings already this summer, I don’t know whether they’ll materialise, from America, throughout July. I’m just hoping and praying we’ll be open for them. The filming of the second series is helping as well. We’re pretty much full in July, we’ve certainly got two or three weeks’ worth of bookings that month, again about 70 per cent of those from the States, so it’s just whether they’re going to be allowed in the country, that’s the big problem. I think people are unsure about the travel passport, the vaccine and whether they’re going to take the risk to book abroad, or they may just think ‘right, let’s just stay in this country’.”Obviously that’s what we’re hinging our hopes on.”
Jamie Le’scot, manager at The Queens Hotel in Todmorden, said: “We’re hoping more people will go on walking holidays and holidays with family locally and in the country, because of the cost of going away and the quarantine afterwards. We’ve got nine rooms available and we’re building a family apartment, hoping that will take off.”
Jamie believes Calderdale is extremely well-placed to attract tourists again after lockdown.
“We’re very diverse, we’ve got a lot of culture in the area, there’s something for everybody. I’m just hoping people come back to the area. I see no reason why they wouldn’t, it’s a beautiful area, we’ve got some lovely walks, some lovely places to go and see. I’m hoping when all this begins to lift, that tourism will take off because Hebden Bridge has always been known for tourism and it does filter through to Todmorden. There’s enough business for everybody, it’s just about getting the business back.”
Nicky Chance-Thompson
Calderdale has what it takes to be a world-class, world beating destination Nicky ChanceThompson
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CEO of The Piece Hall Trust and Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire’s Recovery Taskforce, said: “Calderdale has what it takes to be a world-class, world beating destination. With our ingrained resilience, grit and creativity we can make this a reality once more. We look forward to seeing you all again in soon.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, Coun Jane Scullion, said: ““There’s much to be optimistic about for the future of the visitor economy in Calderdale. The record value of tourism to Calderdale just before COVID-19 brings real hope for the sector’s recovery from the pandemic. New events are already being planned to add to Calderdale’s award-winning programme of events and festivals, such as the Festival of Halifax, scheduled for 2022.
“There’s also lots of exciting investment planned in our towns that will help support the recovery from COVID and make a huge difference to our visitor offer.”
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