New visitor for Grizedale Forest Park

Work will start in the next few weeks on a £5 million makeover for the visitor facilities at Grizedale Forest Park in the Lake District. The programme of sustainable changes is designed to improve the quality of the visitor experience and support the local economy. Made possible by grants from Cumbria Vision, the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund North West Action Plan Partnership, the Lake District National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund and DEFRA Rural Enterprise Scheme, the project will include improvements to the visitor centre, a new resource centre, greater opportunities for local businesses, a wood-fuelled heating system, and new measures to reduce car use. Lord Clark of Windermere, the Chairman of the Forestry Commission, who lives in the Lake District, welcomed the announcement, saying, "It's tremendous news that the funding is now in place and we can go ahead with this very exciting programme of changes at Grizedale." "It will improve the experience for visitors to the forest and provide a legacy that local people can be proud of". "We're also keen that Grizedale remains a world-class facility that can meet the expectations of today’s visitors in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable, and this innovative project will ensure that – this is truly an example of green tourism." The focal point of the Commission's Grizedale project is a revamped visitor centre complete with improved café, information centre and shop. Tourism businesses based at the visitor centre – the café, bike hire and Go Ape – will benefit from improved premises. The plans also include commissioning new sculptures for Grizedale’s world famous sculpture park as well as providing business opportunities for local businesses in the revamped centre. There will be new 'Have a Go' craft activity areas for visitors to enjoy hands-on access to heritage and arts-related activities. These activities will provide an additional attraction for visitors, enhancing the visitor experience and helping to develop visitor understanding of the cultural and environmental heritage of the site. A new resource centre will be based in a redundant building. In addition to formal training courses, it will extend the range of activities currently available to visitors by providing recreational training, such as in arts and crafts activities. The centre will also be fitted out with ICT facilities for training and community use. More local craft products will be available in the shop, and there will be greater use of local produce, adding value to local food production. The Commission plans to work with other tourist providers in the area on joint promotion and marketing of packaged activities, including the development of a website for the Grizedale valley. The project will also help rural businesses to achieve long-term financial sustainability by encouraging visitors to stay longer, spend more per visit, and extend visits during the spring, autumn and winter seasons, rather than significantly increase numbers. The project also involves working with Natural England to help the Commission's tenant farmers in the valley to diversify. Local farmer Arthur Threlkeld has been given assistance to develop new holiday stabling facilities and campsite at Bowkerstead Farm. He says: "The project is a boost for the whole area. The visitor centre buildings are a bit old and in need of a revamp, and I think the plans offer great opportunities for local people like me. It's not just about improving the facilities within the forest, it's a chance for the whole valley and beyond to benefit." In developing the Grizedale project the Commission has placed a high priority on safeguarding and enhancing the environment, protecting the special qualities of the area. In addition to the current Cross Lakes shuttle bus service, the Commission plans to subsidise a shuttle minibus service connecting to the local bus services to Ambleside at Hawkshead, and to Kendal and Barrow at Haverthwaite. There will be a new, wood-fuelled heating system that will help raise awareness of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse emissions from the site. The system will be an exemplar of its kind, with public interpretation. It will encourage the active management of local under-managed woodlands, and create a supply chain of wood-chips to encourage development of other woodfuel systems in the South Lakeland area. The Commission is also working in partnership with the local community, Natural England, Cumbria Tourism, South Lakeland District Council, Friends of the Lake District and other agencies to deliver the plans. David Brockbank from Cumbria Vision says: "I’m very pleased that Cumbria Vision is supporting this exciting project. Visitors increasingly expect to be able to enjoy high quality in all parts of the tourism industry, and this project will ensure that Grizedale has the facilities to match its beautiful setting." Grizedale is an important part of the local economy, supporting more than 200 jobs in the South Lakes. The project will help to safeguard and create new jobs at the forest. Mark Atherton from the Northwest Regional Development Agency, which awarded the funding on behalf of the EU, says: "Grizedale plays an important role in the tourism offering in the South Lakes. By improving the quality of the facilities in the forest this project will bring economic benefits to the surrounding communities and the region as a whole." Grizedale Cafe, Grizedale Mountain Bikes and Go-Ape! are also making significant investments in the redevelopment, and the project is expected to be completed in spring 2008. www.forestry.gov.uk

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