Launch of the Bury St Edmunds and Beyond tourism brand at the town’s Athenaeum

There was a big turnout today for the launch of the Bury St Edmunds and Beyond tourism brand.

Held at the town’s Athenaeum there was over 250 people in attendance which included the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare Countess of Euston; and the Mayor and Mayoress of St Edmundsbury Terry Clements and his wife Margaret.

Its brand and marketing manager Sue Warren said: “The aim of the brand is to increase the marketing of the town to increase visitor numbers and overnight stays.

“There is so much potential and we want people to come and return to the jewel in the crown of Suffolk. We want to help attract more people and to visit other destinations in the area.”

And Melanie Lesser, the chairman of the Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, added: “We want to attract people not only to the town but beyond to the many great tourist sites. We always get plenty of weekend visitors but we are hoping to attract them to stay for the week.”

The Bury St Edmunds and Beyond brand was established by the Bury St Edmunds Destination Management Organisation (DMO), a private sector-led, not-for-profit, membership organization to promote the town and the surrounding area as a visitor destination.

Its partners include St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Bury St Edmunds Town Council, OurBuryStEdmunds the business improvement district organization for the town centre, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Greene King, the National Trust, Bury in Bloom and Gough Hotels.

The local visitor economy is worth £47 million in Bury St Edmunds alone and employs over 1,000 people and there is now a big campaign to gather members to the group.

It costs £95 a year and includes a raft of benefits including a listing on the new website www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk which helps businesses get in front of a growing audience.