New group aims to create a positive vibe about the town

Lucy Roberts - outside her cafe in Horncastle EMN-160624-111552001 EMN-160624-111552001

Twenty people turned out for the group’s inaugural meeting last Tuesday. The meeting was to have been held at the North Street-based Excellente café, which is run by Lucy and partner Jeremy Connelly, but the large numbers prompted a move to the Admiral Rodney Hotel.

As reported in The News, the new organisation has been launched with the aim of showcasing the town as a ‘great day for everyone’.

And, if the opening meeting is anything to go by, the group is off to a flying start.

“For a first meeting it was brilliant,” said Lucy, who was appointed chair, with Jeremy the group’s secretary.

“We agreed to make more of occasions such as Hallowe’en and want to work closely with other local organisations, such as the Civic Society and the church, and forge good links with the tourism team and festival committee.”

The aim of the Horncastle Business Group is to help co-ordinate events in the town and showcase what Horncastle has to offer.

The group has already printed 5,000 leaflets to promote Horncastle which it will be putting in Tourist Information Centres and other outlets throughout the area.

Lucy added: “We are currently working on a map of the town which will be available at all the shops and which will show visitors where to find such things as car parks and cash machines. On the back of the map we will have a comprehensive listing of businesses and services in the town.”

The group has had an offer to set up a website free of charge and a graphic designer has offered to work with them, also for no charge.

One of the groups’ long term plans is to produce a Horncastle Business Directory, which will not only provide detailed information on all of the businesses in the town but will also highlight the town’s visitor attractions and show where to find services such as medical and dentist practices.

Lucy said: “We want to create a really positive vibe about Horncastle.

“The more people we attract into Horncastle the better. We need to let people know about all the good things the town has to offer.”